I have uploaded my info to a laptop without a problem. If you just access the material off the CD without actually uploading it, (restore from backup) then you cannot add information as it hasn't been uploaded. I know this works cause I've sent two family members info on CD and they've uploaded it and it works fine.

I do not generally print out group sheets etc. I will print what I many need if I'm working on a specific family to write in any findings. I don't care to lug the laptop. I do keep paper copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates as well as obits and property records, wills, and any newspaper articles. If a distant relative returns a family group sheet with a variety of info filled in, then I will keep those sheets but I don't keep countless binders of group sheets, etc.