Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/1vlwrqy/i_wonder_if_we_are_heading_for_a_grim_future/

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The original was posted on /r/datahoarder by /u/Captain_Starkiller on 2026-08-11 22:54:21+00:00.

Okay so I honestly have been feeling down about the recent death of optical drives. You can still get them in media PLAYERS but blu ray drives simply cannot be purchased new anymore unless you find some inventory hanging on at some small store, and cd/dvd drives I think have also mostly ceased production. Mdiscs? Forget it.

I love optical tech. And you know what, I think a number of people still use it. But it feels like mobile computing and tablets meet enough needs that many people dont want full on PCs/laptops/macs anymore they just want portable devices.

And its making me wonder about a number of computer tools. I'm starting to wonder if scanners are next. Still in use enough in offices I think that the technology isnt dead yet, we are still a relatively paperful society but I am starting to wonder how long thats going to last...

I wonder if we're heading for a future where home computers become increasingly rare. Indeed the last few years with the ram crisis have certainly pushed that in a certain direction...