Brake opinions needed

All cars I have seen since the 1990's have a brake booster. Must be a reason (lawyers, market to women?). Maybe Smart cars get by with a manual MC (anybody know?). It is a personal preference. I put a booster on my 65 Dart for later disk brakes, thinking that was required. It stops "authoritatively" w/ drum brakes, so should be about perfect with disks. My 65 Newport (C-body, ~4000 lb), came w/ factory booster & drum brakes, and feels about right. When the booster failed (ripped diaphragm), I could barely stop it and needed 2 feet to skid the tires, and I bike and run so can push a pedal well. I recall it had a 1"D MC (no lever), but now 7/8"D which will be better if the booster fails again.