I used MD's since they came out, and switched to MP3 on a laptop. My MD player has as jog wheel that lets you search for a new title while one is already playing. Without THAT feature, I wouldn't be able to use one effectivly.

The laptop has made it possible to incorporate SMF, MP3 and WAV all at my fingertips, and life is so much easier now.

Sometimes, a client will hand me a CD during a show ... I pop it in.

Sometimes, I am playing for a family group and we're all having a ball untill some of the little kids get restless ... I switch to MP3's of their tunes for a bit ..

Sometimes, I need to put out more sound than my "two handed" arrangements will allow, so I kick into SMF mode and play on top of larger, more powerful arrangemets.

It's all a question of "What is needed, WHEN"

Having all the formats in one unit is a great advantage, and I've said before - the laptop provides light, lyrics and break tunes ...... what else do you need?