Looking at upgrading work laptop, I currently have a bulky dell running xp.

Want to go small, but in people's opinions based on your own experiences, will I miss the optical drive?

Laptop will be used for site visits too, so will be running panel software etc, but will be mainly used for doing my daily work from other locations.

How often did u use it?

I dont as a rule but copying a dvd etc onto usb or the network is annoying when you need it

Don't use it unless I need to load software on.

As anything in life though, as soon as you don't have something, you need it.

Edited February 28, 201511 yr by timmo66

Don't think I've needed the optical drive on mine for over a year.

I do have a USB superdive which I could use if I had to tho.

Been looking at this but not sure what it would be like, would only be for occasion use for fire panels etc.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/ipad-tablets-and-ereaders/tablets/linx-10-tablet-black-32-gb-10100243-pdt.html#cat-0

Quick search for external use drives, only roughly £20 so that's a good option.

I have a windows tablet which was destined for work but I use that for home now.

I use an external as a rule or copy to usb

Quick search for external use drives, only roughly £20 so that's a good option.

I have a windows tablet which was destined for work but I use that for home now.

£20 ain't bad..

I've started to find some manufacturers give you a link to download the software rather than having it on a CD.

I tried a netbook for work a while back,

Maybe I'm old fashion but proper keyboard with no. pad & proper sized display is much easier

Currently have a l540 thinkpad, its will do a morning off the battery ect... which is much better than my other ones

I tried a netbook for work a while back,

 

I did and found that most of the software we use doesn't fit the screen properly

With software and manuals coming on CD's more now, I wouldn't want to be carrying a separate USB Drive around myself.

Still happy with my "bulky" dell.