historical curiosity

Appleの新しいiMacにはdisc-drive（光学ドライブ）がありません。軽量化と薄さを優先したとは言え，なぜ取り外してしまったのだろうと以前から不思議に思っていましたが，どうやら「時代の流れ」のようです。記事中のhistorical curiosityは直訳すれば「歴史的に奇妙なもの」と訳せますが，これはいわゆる「過去の遺物」という意味で用いられていると考えられます。（Koyamamoto）

Why disc drives are an endangered species
(CNN) -- Could the phrase "burn a disc" soon be interred in the computing graveyard, resting peacefully alongside 8-bit graphics and the chirping, buzzing hum of a dial-up modem?
Some technology analysts, along with some of the most influential computer makers in the world, say yes. Optical disc drives take up precious space in our ever-shrinking gadgets, and the ability to stream music or movies on demand has made CDs and DVDs less essential.
The disc drive's spin into obscurity may have started swirling faster last week.
Apple's new iMac, its flagship desktop computer, was released Friday. For the first time, it has no disc drive. This marks a trend that has already begun on some laptops, like Apple's MacBook Airs, and of course with mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
"Over time, an optical disc will be as much of an historical curiosity as a floppy disk," said Michael Gartenberg, a tech-industry analyst with research firm Gartner Inc.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/tech/innovation/imac-disc-drive/index.html