Drives > Hewlett-Packard Drives > DVD writer > by Interface

Advantages: Fairly simple to install (sorta)...
Disadvantages: Be careful why you want a burner.

...reason I went with the HP is that is what my computer is, an HP. I am a very firm believer that like brands work better with like parts. O.K. I got the burner. Now what?? Well if you knew me you would think I know an awful lot about computers. You would be wrong! I put up a good front but I know enough about computers to get me in trouble! When I opened the box I was .. oh what’s the word?... INTIMIDATED!!!! Yup that’s the word. I had no clue what ...
...but in case there wasn’t, HP included another IDE cable with an extra connector to replace one in computers with only the one connector. On with the burning. WHAT DO YOU MEAN I NEED ANOTHER PROGRAM TO COPY DVDS????? ARGHHHHHH!!!! Yes although the burner included three different programs to play the DVDs, copying them required me purchasing a copy of DVD xcopy express. Which I had to buy used as the ones on store shelves have been stripped of the ... Read review

Advantages: Affordable, works well, cutting-edge home consumer product.
Disadvantages: Firmware updates somewhat confusing, software lacking.

...originally purchased to replace the HP CDRW in a HP Pavilion XL946 that belonged to the business of a friend of mine's (is that proper English? Heck if I know! ;-), a computer that I recently inherited and am enjoying greatly. The drive was originally used under WinME, and is currently being used under Win2K Pro SP4. It works great, I have NO complaints about it sofar. The included software is not what I'm used to, it takes a little to get to know ...
...or DVD burner before. ArcSoft's Showbiz DVD makes it very easy to author DVDs and VCDs, although the interface is too simplistic and menu-driven for my taste. I prefer using either Roxio EZ-CD Creator 5 Platinum or Nero Burning ROM 6, which gives a lot more options. CyberLink PowerDVD is an excellent software-based DVD player that works without hiccups. VERITAS' RecordNOW and Simple Backup software packages make it easy to back up and store your ... Read review

Advantages: Great at its job, quick, easy to use, easy to install
Disadvantages: Not fully reliable, not easy to fix

Ahh, i have a very mixed opinion on this product. This drive came pre installed on my desktop and was very faithful to me! It always worked and got the job done very well when i needed it! It burnt DVD's with ease and CD's even quicker! However i had one fateful day when i had to recover my PC and completely reset it! I re-installed all the drivers for all of my hardware and everything worked except... Lite-On SOHW-832S DVD/RW Combo drive i tried ...
...but it wasn't!!! It didn't recognise when a DVD or a CD was inserted and it would no longer burn! I uninstalled it and re-installed it countless times but nope! Nothing worked, so now my main desktop computer is without a CD Writing drive! I do not wish to put others off buying it though as when it worked it was very good! I'm sure mine is just a one off! ... Read review

Advantages: Quick, Easy, Reliable, Small, Fits into any pocket or bag
Disadvantages: Faded out use lately

I originally bought this external floppy drive a few years ago after the standard for laptops was not to have an inbuilt floppy drive already in them however at the time floppy disks were still in use from time to time. It doesn't mean that this can't be used for desktop computers that don't have internal floppy drives. Power ********* Usually when having an external device like an external hard drive or optical drive you would usually need more ...
...the power into a power socket in the wall and a separate cable to send and receive data between the device and the computer however with this external floppy drive it has completely changed. Now all that is need with this floppy drive is simply just one USB cable with a mini USB connected to the drive making it quick and easy to use when your on the move as well as easy to fit and store on the move with no extra cabling which could possibly get tangled ... Read review

Advantages: faster optical drive with 2MB buffer size.
Disadvantages: --

Asus optical drive is more then stable product. With fast reading, fast writing, it make everybody like Asus optical drive. With IDE/ATAPI interface, ASUS DRW 1608P make it always support at all pc. At max operating, this optical drive temperature always stable, and not make a big noise. Make reading faster with 2MB buffer size. If you see with front side at this ASUS DRW 1608P, it look a strong optical drive. Dual compatibility feature make your ... Read review