mac8468k

This is good news! Not only because it gives the Mac character (and is simply part of the Mac legacy), but it serves a purpose: with the chime, you can tell when you should hold startup option keys. The late model Macs look like they are shutdown for quite a while before starting back up – and you can't tell one activity from the other.

I've heard the "benefit" stated as "you won't disturb a meeting or class", but that directly opposes the late model design which pushes keeping Macs on and ready full time.