Optimization is Dependent upon Implementation Technology!!!
How we minimize Boolean equations is affected by the IMPLEMENTATION TECHNOLOGY!!!!
When wiring up individual 74xx packages, want as few as gates as possible, and as few connections as possible.
For PALs, want get the SOP equation into the number of allowed Products terms - getting fewer than this will not help us unless it can eliminate an input variable.
For other PLD technologies, saving product terms may definitely help. It all DEPENDS on the ARCHITECTURE of the programmable logic device!!!!