external vs internal optical drive performance

[JohnnyLucky]

Is there much difference in actual real world performance between external and internal optical drives? I don't use a dvd burner as much as I used to because a lot of modern applications can be downloaded from the Internet.

 

[jkhoward]

No.

The speed at which a disk can read/write is slower than internal and external connections.

 

[USAFRet]

Not really. Doubtful you'd notice any difference.

 

[boosted1g]

Real world performance is no difference. As stated, the disk speed is so much slower that the USB chipset will be waiting on it.

I dont have a cd drive in my server or my laptop (put ssd drive in laptop and original hard drive in caddy in the place of the dvd-drive). Just use a USB enclousre for my old dvd drive for both machines when i very occasionally need a drive

 

[JohnnyLucky]

I guess that settles it.

Any recommendations for an external dvd burner?

boosted1g - I'm in a similar situation. I rarely use an optical drive other than for installing Windows 7 and a few professional applications which are still on CD-ROM discs. Everything else is either downloaded from the Internet or saved to USB flash drives.

 

[USAFRet]

I guess that settles it.

Any recommendations for an external dvd burner?

Cheapest with the features you want (LightScribe, etc). This is a long proven tech. Not much difference in the major brands.

 

[jkhoward]

I guess that settles it.

Any recommendations for an external dvd burner?

boosted1g - I'm in a similar situation. I rarely use an optical drive other than for installing Windows 7 and a few professional applications which are still on CD-ROM discs. Everything else is either downloaded from the Internet or saved to USB flash drives.

Hey Johnny,

I have purchased a few external drives in the past and have had some issues with the low quality ones. I would personally recommend the ASUS reader because it has lasted me for a few years now. I would avoid drives that are less than $15. If you can get the ASUS on sale though.. that is a different story.

Cheers!

EDIT: This is the same model that I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135256

 

[JohnnyLucky]

jkhoward - "I would avoid drives that are less than $15."

While you were posting I was over at newegg checking out external USB dvd burners. There are 23 burners. All of them cost considerably more:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007595%20600003509&IsNodeId=1&name=DVD%20Burner&Order=RATING&Pagesize=100

In addition, newegg has brands I never heard of.

 

[jkhoward]

There are some at your local best buy or walmart store that can be very cheap. I haven't personally heard of any of those brands in the past. That doesn't mean they are bad, but I would stick with a known brand. LG and ASUS make a good product. From what you linked the best option would be the ASUS one that I posted above.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

OK! Thanks for the information.