BTO menu
If you're cheaping out on a $600 laptop, then every $10 or $15 counts. But we're talking about a $1,200 laptop here.
The difference in OEM cost between the Combo drive and SuperDrive is peanuts. Doubtless less than the cost of putting in the embedded iSight. And ... I'd bet a usage survey would find a far higher percentage of users actually burn DVD media than use iSight.
If Apple was going to make something optional, it should be the iSight first, then the optical drive. Personally, I have no idea why anyone would rather have $10 or $15 in his/her pocket and a Combo Drive instead of a dual-layer DVD burner, but I guess it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. :-)
One thing I'd bet my hat on ... you're in the minority, in that regard. And base vs. non-base might should revolve around that to some degree.
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
