Who watches DVDs on a laptop?
The hard drive is a much more efficient user of power. Rip the DVDs to the hard drive, and you can still watch your movies - only you can carry more.
Ah, but master, I'm still learning. I make myself do something new every weekend, and this weekend is for DVD burning. But first, I must finish watching Jericho...on the laptop, in the office, where I can smoke and watch movies. It's the only smoking room in the house.
My wife and I often do, especially when the kids and their friends are using the good TV with the surround sound. My home is the local Teen Central, so having an alternate way to watch movies is appreciated.