Drives > Sony Drives > DVD writer > Hi-Speed USB/IEEE 1394 (FireWire)

Advantages: It's a Sony, so quality and style are excellent...
Disadvantages: It's a Sony, so it's a bit more expensive...

...most things, claiming (in the Sony documentation) to work with: DVD-R/-R DL/-RW, DVD+R/DVD+R DL/+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, CD-DA, CD-ROM (XA), CD Extra, Video CD, Photo CD*, CD Text, multi-session (!) I've used the DRX-700UL on some CDR's and some DVD+R's (4.7GB) and have had no problems, no burning or buffer errors (the drive has a 2MB buffer). It can record up to 8.5GB capacity on one Double/ Dual Layer disc, but I just happened to find some DVD+R's ... Read review

Advantages: Fast, Good Software, External
Disadvantages: External Power Needed, Sony Software

I already have a built in DVD, I already have a built in CD-RW. I couldn't resist getting a DVD-RW. I've had it a fairly long time now, I havn't had any problems with it at all. Looks wise its not the best, it doesn't match my black dell very nice cause its a cream colour but thats not a problem its what it does that counts. It comes with loads of software, such as Sonic MyDVD and RecordNow. I've made 100s of DVDs using it, had about 2 or 3 fail ...
...CDs is unbelivably fast. I can make a full 80mins music CD in about 2mins burning time. Its fantastic. As for the external side of things. It comes with long enough cables to suit your needs, but nothing ridiculously long to add to the wires I already have everywhere. I turn it on as and when needed, it has the on light on the front for the times when I forget to turn it off. Its completly silent when its on, and when its burning or reading a disc ... Read review

Advantages: very small, fast, nice, anaesthetic wise, fast DVD+RW speeds
Disadvantages: USB data handling not too fast, good enought though

♦How I acquired this impressive product ♦ Well, seeing as I do a great deal of video editing, I needed to backup my computer in the case of data loss or due to reformatting my hard drive, loosing all my valuable data, as I also run windows 2000, so that explains the problems with the computer anyway. I already had a CD+RW for my computer, but this one was internal, so I had the problem of carrying it around, well, I couldn’t really, ...
...all my date on to. I wanted a DVD±RW as well so that I could backup large amounts of date, not necessarily very quickly, but at least I could store large videos without splitting them all up. I also wanted to record DVDs for friends and family, legally, that is, by the way. So I looked around for a DVD±RW that was not only external, but also worth the amount of money that I was willing to fork out for it, £200-£300, so I wanted something that would ... 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