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    Deal breaker? External USB DVD Drive/Burner for playing games. Are they dependable?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by VIP1, Apr 29, 2010.

  1. VIP1

    VIP1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm considering getting an HP Envy but the one I want to buy does not come with an internal DVD drive. I've done some searches but there were not any solid reviews on external slim drives/burners. What would happen if I want to play a game that requires a dvd running constantly. Are external dvd drives dependable for several hours of continued use? OR is this is a deal breaker? and I should look at a laptop with an internal dvd drive?
     
    VIP1, Apr 29, 2010
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  2. Orinix

    Orinix Notebook Geek

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    If you really want the HP and a totally reliable experience, you could copy the DVD to an iso and mount it from your HDD.

    I've had friends run for a couple hours off external drives without issue. No personal experience though.
     
    Orinix, Apr 29, 2010
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  3. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well, it is the same exact drive you would find inside a laptop, just in an external case.

    I also run hard drives over usb and have never had an issue with it cutting out or anything like that.
     
    Trottel, Apr 29, 2010
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  4. leslieann

    leslieann Notebook Deity

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    It's NOT reliable.
    Some game protection systems do not allow for USB, networked or virtual drives.

    There are cracked executables you can get that can get around this problem, but they are of questionable legality and they will trigger anti-cheat systems.

    If you use Steam you can avoid the whole problem though.
     
    leslieann, Apr 29, 2010
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