The expendable design makes more sense, and is in line with the philosophy of the Empire military! I had always found the hyperdrive ring on the Jedi fighter kinda stupid: if it gets destroyed after you leave it behind, you become stranded and have to call for help…
I though it just stayed in orbit or in deep space until the fighter returned? Or is that an EU thing maybe? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen/read that the fighters can return and use them again.