External DVD drive
DVDs are still one of the most trustworthy physical sources to backup digital data. Unlike with USB flash drives, it’s
not easy, and sometimes impossible, to edit or delete data burned into a DVD. Unfortunately, most laptops and computers
these days do not come with optical drives that can burn DVDs. If that’s the case with your computer, you can purchase an
external DVD writer to give your device the capability of writing on a DVD.
External DVD writers are highly affordable and are widely compatible with many different types of operating systems. More
importantly, they can play DVDs, CDs, VCDs, and other forms of optical storage devices. If you have old mix CDs or movies
you want to access on your latest slim laptop, then a DVD writer would be the best option. Unlike regular DVD players, DVD
writers allow you to access data on DVDs as well as edit them.
Who An External DVD Drive is For
Before we help you find the best external DVD drive, let’s talk a little about who these devices are designed for and the
benefits of owning one. First, most new laptops don’t have optical drives which can make watching DVDs and Blu-rays
impossible. With laptops becoming a huge part of our lives and with streaming service such as Netflix, we’re spending
more time with our laptops than with the TV in the living room. If you like to watch movies from your laptop - whether
that’s in bed, on the sofa, or while traveling, you’ll need an external DVD drive to do that.
How to Find the Best External DVD Drive
In order to find the best external DVD drive for your needs and preferences, there are some important factors you’ll need
to consider. Here are some ways to narrow down your search.
Speed
To find the best external DVD drive for you, thoroughly research the write and read speeds of the products you’re
interested in. We recommend opting for an external DVD drive that supports USB 3.0 as this speed is faster than using a
USB 2.0. However, you should take into consideration the age and quality of your device as this will impact how responsive
the DVD drive is. The faster the speed, the less time you’ll have to wait for loading times. Thankfully, external DVD
drives aren’t that costly, so it’s possible to find a high-speed product without it costing the earth
Design and Appearance
It can be fairly difficult to find an external DVD drive that looks aesthetically pleasing without it breaking the bank.
But, appearance is more important that you might think as you want the device to look good so that you feel comfortable
using it in public and enjoy its use. Also, if you have an expensive laptop, you don’t want to downgrade the overall look
with a bulky, plastic DVD drive. Remember that design is also critical to how portable and mobile the DVD drive is. A
slimmer design is better suited for people on the go, whereas some might be satisfied with a thicker design.