14 DAY TRIAL // The Windows 8 operating system from Microsoft has been looked upon like a saving grace, but now other consequences are coming to light.
One of the “bad” things that Windows 8 has caused is a lull in demand for optical disk drives for laptops.
There isn't any incompatibility between the two. The reason notebook makers are sacrificing ODDs is cost.
Windows 8 relies on touch input. This has led to the addition of touch panels on many laptops, just like many monitors and all-in-one PCs have been getting it.
Since this adds $50-60 to each product's price, throwing in an ODD would push the cost higher than customers would be willing to pay.
Right now, 60% of all laptops have an ODD, instead of 70%, and Windows 8 has only been out for about two months.
15-inch and larger notebooks still get ODDs, especially in emerging markets, but that isn't completely balancing out the drop.