[scarface74]

For digital media, especially for kids, there are many better alternatives -- including ripping the DVDs, copying them to a MicroSD card and buying a cheap Fire tablet. But, Disney+, with an iPad ($329), and Apple Arcade (no ad ridden, play to win games) is a godsend for kids.

Why would I ask for dongle. I know plenty of sales people who live and die by adapters like these: https://www.amazon.com/QGeeM-Adapter-Thunderbolt-Compatible-...)

You seem to want the equivalent of a Homermobile for laptops.

[jfkebwjsbx]

My time is worth way more than dealing with ripping DVDs, to be honest.

Yes, streaming platforms are convenient, but no, I don't want to be limited to whatever Disney+ or Apple Arcade wants me or my kid to watch/play. I choose what shows/games are worth, not the other way around. I will pay to watch a show in streaming, but I don't pay streaming to have something to watch. If that makes sense...

[acolumb]

Ripping DVDs is something that takes very little time.

Open the drive, put DVD in, click "go" on HandBrake. Rinse and repeat.

You have all the time in the world to work while your machine is encoding them. And Plex makes the organization brainless.

[scarface74]

So it’s more convenient to lug around a bunch of DVDs than a tablet with dozens of movies at your disposal?

[jfkebwjsbx]

I don't "lug" them around, they are placed in this thing called "bookcase". Perhaps you have heard about them! I heard they are legacy now too... :)

[ashtonkem]

If I was going to play optical media, I’d be more interested in getting it to play on my TV than my laptop. Every time I played a DVD on the last laptop I had with a DVD drive it was always a nightmare to deal with power, HDMI, and deal with the laptops tendency to go to sleep. I’d rather just buy a dedicated optical player for the TV and be done with it.