Drives > DVD-ROM Drives > IDE > Less than 30 GBP

Advantages: Good quality; quiet operation; very affordable
Disadvantages: Rather high CPU usage

...the drive's cache size? The Samsung has only 256kB of cache (as opposed to the Plextor's 2MB). DAE quality was rated "10" (perfect) with the "Accurate Stream" feature present. CPU usage with CD-R dics was fairly good for a quality drive: 0% at 1x, 1% at 2x, 2% at 4x and 4% at 8x. CPU usage reading DVDs seemed staggeringly high at first glance: 6 % at 1x, 19 % at 2X, 47 % at 4X and 77 % at 8x reading a pressed DVD-ROM, and even higher with a burned ...
...% at 4x and "n/a" (out of range? ;-)) at 8X. Then I measured CPU usage with the (generally acclaimed) Plextor drive: it was just as high. Not being an expert in this field I can only speculate that during normal operation CPU usage won't be a problem; DVD film playback occurs at 1x; audio file playback off DVDs also doesn't require higher read speeds. Aside from file copying, the only circumstance I can think of where thed drive would have to provide ... Read review

Advantages: Well known brand.
Disadvantages: none

To begin with, it loks nice. The simple front design does away with exterior volume dials and headphone jacks, all there is, is one open/close button. It was incredibly easy to install. All i had to do was slot it in (making sure my jumper settings were correct for my set up) and install the cables into it. I used NERO to find out the results. To test the DVD i used CSI:Miami the game. Eject time: 1.62 seconds Close time: 1.56 seconds Spin-up ...
...DVD is 16x). Spin-down time (Time taken to reach standard revoloution rate after reaching fastest.) Spin -up time: 5.14 seconds Spin-Down time: 3.81 seconds Time taken for disc recognition: 10.05 seconds I would recommend this drive becasue it is simply fit and forget. I have given the instruction manual a totally unhelpful rating becasue it didn't come with one. With the drive you also get power DVD 5 ... Read review

Advantages: Very reliable, quick and easy to use
Disadvantages: None other than it does not read RAM discs

...or write to these, which is the only downside, but for me is not a problem as i dont use RAM discs. NEC is a brand you can trust. Any questions or if i have missed a point you would like cleared, please leave a comment in my guestbook. ... 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