Wondering if this is possible

Yes i am going to buy a laptop by the end of this summer and i got to looking at various USB devices. I found a few including 5.25" enclosures which work with DVD-RW drives. I was wondering if i could buy an 8x normal (and cheaper than those darn slimline 2/4x dvd-rw's in laptops) and an USB 2.0 enclosure for it and use the dvd-rw with the notebook? This would save alot of money and i woul dhave better performance from the dvd-rw.

 

I think I understand what you're asking, but let's see....

Are you asking if you can buy a regular, internal drive; install it in a enclosure, and use it with USB 2.0 ?? If so, the only problem I see are power requirements. Some desktop drives use more power than the slimline/portable ones. Without seeing what you're trying to piece together, I would say you would need a DVD-RW that uses relatively the same amount of power as a insternal notebook model or external slimline. In addition, your enclosure would somehow have to care for the power requirements, probably through USB. I don't see why it couldn't be done outside of the power issues. Do you have links to the items you're looking to do this with?

 

Actually since i probly wouldnt be using the dvd-rw when i'm not near a power outlet i would be using a relitivly cheap model that plugs right into the wall. I was just basicly wondering if i could save the money from getting one installed, and just doing that.

 

I mean, there are compatiable parts that should let you do this. It's actually not a bad idea. I'm probably going to go a similar route. My situation is that I want a new DVD drive that supports the Dual Layer format. Because I just purchased a new machine, I'm not planning on buying another one just for that feature. So, I actually will be looking at a slim-line drive to fulfill this. My backpack stays pretty full and I don't want the added weight of an enclosure, additional cable, and a full size drive.

 

alright thanks! even though i havnt even gotten my laptop yet i have already pretty much planned what i am doing. Since you said that is a good idea i'm going to be getting a USB 2.0 external DVD-/+RW (also like a duel layer burner like you were talking about). A Usb thumb drive sized tv-tuner instead of an internal (which is more expensive, but saves me room in the laptop). And a USB 2.0 enclosure for a 250gig HD i have that i cant use. Thanks again!

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by DivineSin

 

http://www.gainward.com/html/product/multimedia/tv2go/tv2go.htm Thats the thumb drive sized usb. Its 99.99 so i think its pretty cheap for what it offers. All the reviews i have seen have given it top notch scores 10/10 5/5 or whatnot.

For the notebook i'm not sure yet. I havnt found exactly what i want. I want a neat looking chasis with small screen hinges (i hate those huge ones like on the Dell XPS)I would like atleast an ATI Radeon 9600 128 but i'de settle for the 64 meg version. Uhh..A mobile processor, atleast 512 megs of ram (1024 i really want) and a battery life of atleast 3 or 4 hours. I can achieve most of this on the ABS for under 1800. And once pctorque comes back online i'm going to re-check them out.