Well, I haven't really looked into getting an external DVD/CD drive yet, since I've been successfully using my desktop's CD/DVD drives for my needs, but if I do buy an external drive to use w/ my netbook, I know it'll come down to one particular characteristic for me:
COST.
Of those brands listed, none of them stands out above the others for me. I mean, a CD/DVD drive nowadays is a CD/DVD drive, at least to me. Manufacturers put whatever brand of drive they can get a deal on into their desktop PCs. I'm not picky, either. I don't think you can significantly mess up making a CD/DVD drive, can you?
Maybe I'll do a little research and figure out which one I'd want in the future..
If I ever do get one, I'll post it in here....
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Dave
Asus eeePC 1000HA w/ 10" WSVGA Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Intel Atom N270 @1.6GHz, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz bus, 512kb cache
160GB Hard Drive (de-partitioned) (+250GB External Drive), Windows XP Home
I picked up the ASUS sdwr because I wanted something as portable as my netbook. Boy was that a poor choice! It is slow, and vibrates almost violently. If it's overused, this thing will shut down and restart the DVD rom. The major reason I have the thing is for installs and ripping/burning, so I don't want my DVD rom randomly deciding it wants a break. only gotten 1 thing installed so far, out of 6.
Last edited by idarmytj; 08-13-2009 at 02:26 AM.
Reason: title and icon
Right now I have a "Retail Plus" Multi-DVD burner. The brand stated "Retail" but when I opened the box the unit was labeld "LG". It's a full size drive sitting in a ext USB-2 IDE drive case. After going through several drives over the years I also have desided that the cheapest multi drive will do just fine thank you. I got a little pissed at starting to generate coasters after approx 2 years using a unit that I investigated on life expectancy of a DVD burner drive. It turned out to be approx two years. Now I am talking a lot of burning. Yes I have heard reports of units lasting well over 2 yrs but burners are really inexpensive now a days. (Not refering to Blueray). I refuse to go to HD just to line the pockets of the retail and movie industry when there is nothing wrong with a good Standard definition movie. It is well within my accepted tolereance. Hey it's entertainment! I would sooner buy 2-3 SD Movies over 1 in HD.
I never watch all the extra data anyways and now they are starting to put commercials in there as well.
I believe I read somewhere that there are 10 or less electronic manufactuerers that make devices on consignment. Even some of the big names will take on orders to keep their manufacturing/assembly plants viable.
I went through 2 NEC slim size super Multies on my Compaq Laptop after the original one gave out at $110 a pop not including shipping so now it's a full size external burner that I slap in one of my Ext full size USB-2 cases. Last one cost me $35.
So if you start to create a lot of coasters and nothing has changed on your system - try slowing down your burn (I always burn DVD's at 4 X's = 15 mins). If that doesn't cure it, refresh the drivers and if that still doesn't cut it then consider a new drive. I have found that this has always cured my burn problem.
I'm sure not all CD/DVD drives are created equal. The HP dvd1035 drive that was installed in my work desktop suddenly went on the fritz one day, causing my computer to NOT boot up at all. Even re-installing Windows (using the CD drive) seemed to work, but after a certain point and a required reboot, the system would just hang on a black screen. I guess even new drives can go bad suddenly.
I hear you about the HD stuff. I, too, feel that buying BluRay and HD stuff is just not necessary. The standard definition is perfectly fine for my tastes, too. It's just another "techno-scam" to get consumers to "need" the current technology. Luckily for my wallet, I don't have to keep up w/ the Jones'. LOL.
__________________
Dave
Asus eeePC 1000HA w/ 10" WSVGA Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Intel Atom N270 @1.6GHz, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz bus, 512kb cache
160GB Hard Drive (de-partitioned) (+250GB External Drive), Windows XP Home
I've seen a Buffalo drive, bus powered with a very reasonable price point. When I finaly decide I need a drive, I think this one will be my first choice.
I don't know if I was clear on my earlier post. What I did was purchase 2 external IDE USB-2 full height cases. Approx $20 each. This allows you to insert whatever ide component you want. You could install a hdd or optical drive. With this senario you could remove that burner from a Desktop unit and now make it portable. This way you can use it on either your Desktop or your laptop/netbook for installing software, ripping, archiving or even watching movies etc.
When the unit becomes unstable - just replace the drive with another cheap unit. You do not have to open your Desktop up to gain access.
I originally bought two empty full size USB-2 (IDE interface inside) when I was upgrading my desktops with 3.5" HDD's using my xmas gift certificates from my wife and kids. I desided to have some external drives. Being full size cases allows any IDE device to be installed.
That said SATA was just starting to become available at the time. I have since purchased a 2.5" USB-2 empty case supporting SATA inside and I have a 320 gig SATA HDD in that case. It appears that there are larger drives available in the SATA format than the IDE format for the 2.5 format size drives. This does not mean that you cannot find any large 2.5 " IDE format drives. I am sure that they exist. The SATA large capacity in the 2.5" size are easier to find and tend to be less expensive than the IDE. That appears to be the trend here in Ottawa. I may see about buying a slim DVD drive just for traveling. I don't think I will spend the extra on a burner for my travels.
Hiya, first post. I voted Sony because I bought one yesterday. I had not set out to buy a Sony but it was there, it was less expensive than the LiteOn drive on the shelf next to it, and it was slim, not bulky, like the other. Its proven to be a very nice match to my 1001HA with its matt black and brushed chrome finish, so not only does it work well, it also looks good.
The external USB Optical Drive debate
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