The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Add external DVD+RW DL or try and buy a slim drive for ThinkPad R61?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by DJ-phYre, Apr 9, 2008.

  1. DJ-phYre

    DJ-phYre Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I recently went from a desktop to a laptop, but I didn't opt for the DVD burner on the R61... which was a mistake.

    I was looking at aftermarket slim dvd+rw, and they are decently priced around $60-80 and will pop right in my laptop.

    However, external drivers are up to 20x and there are some of the same price range. I don't ever see myself needing to burn DVDs on the road or on the go... so I think an external would fit me fine.

    Any comments or suggestions about the subject? Things I should be aware of?
     
  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

    Reputations:
    4,412
    Messages:
    8,077
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    An external dvd drive will be fine for any of your burning needs
    I would try to stick with a known brand, which uses a good cd drive.
    In general, Pioneer, Plextor and Lite-On, make some of the best dvd burners.

    It would save money, if you bought an optical drive enclosure, for say $30, and then you can buy whatever dvd burner you want, for like $30.
    It is amazing how cheap dvd burners are these days, so buying the parts separately could save you a few bills.

    K-TRON
     
  3. D3X

    D3X the robo know it all

    Reputations:
    688
    Messages:
    1,666
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Like to mention LG and Lite-ON as well on the burners list.

    Building your own enclosure may be cheaper and a rewarding experience(especially for novices) as K-Tron has mentioned. :D
     
  4. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

    Reputations:
    4,412
    Messages:
    8,077
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Lite-On, thats what I meant to mention. Not Aopen.
    will edit my post.
    I have had problems with lg a few years ago, but if D3x has had good runins, then I would also recommend them.

    K-TRON
     
  5. D3X

    D3X the robo know it all

    Reputations:
    688
    Messages:
    1,666
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Interesting, I never really had any issues with LGs at all, and most review sites mentions good things about them(albeit not alot out there). Most of my LG drives I've had a few years ago still run today, infact, I don't think I would want any else due to the available RPC1 and riplock hacks available from 3rd party firmwares.
     
  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    2,389
    Messages:
    10,552
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    I've had good experiences with Samsung drives, they're also pretty quiet - unlike my other Lite-On...