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    External USB DVD Drive Recommendation

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by strangesweet, Aug 10, 2008.

  1. strangesweet

    strangesweet Notebook Deity

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    Preferably looking at LG or Samsung brand, but any recommendations?

    And I was wondering if drives available at eBay trustable?

    I don't want to spend so much right now.

    Would like to buy from either eBay or offline, because NewEgg or TigerDirect is charging ridiculous S&H to Hawai'i.
     
    strangesweet, Aug 10, 2008
    #1
  2. Faruk

    Faruk Notebook Evangelist

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    Faruk, Aug 11, 2008
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  3. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Yes, the GSA-E50L is a nice unit. I tested it with several notebooks and it ran from one USB port but there is a second cable to provide more power if needed. If you don't want Lightscribe then there's a slightly cheaper E50N.

    Avoid the Samsung SE-T084L slot loader. It will run on USB power, but what they don't advertise is that it runs at half speed on USB and full speed if the mains PSU is plugged in.

    The other option is Liteon, which is less expensive. The latest model is the DX-8A1H-07C. They have finally redesigned the enclosure. The older Liteon slim external burners used a small mains PSU but there's no mention of a PSU in the specs for the new model. Liteon is not one of the big names, but actually makes burners for others.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 11, 2008
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  4. strangesweet

    strangesweet Notebook Deity

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    What is the difference between E60L or E50L? Is lower number, better or worse?

    Is there any other good online sites besides NewEgg and TigerDirect? The shipping price from those places are too expensive.
     
    strangesweet, Aug 11, 2008
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  5. strangesweet

    strangesweet Notebook Deity

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    I remember seeing Best Buy selling E50L, but not anymore..
     
    strangesweet, Aug 11, 2008
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  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The E50L is a slim burner, the E60L is a big desktop burner.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 11, 2008
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  7. strangesweet

    strangesweet Notebook Deity

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    strangesweet, Aug 11, 2008
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  8. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    If you want a full sized burner then look at this Liteon. They used to make the Sony burners, but I don't know if that is still the case. Should you ever want to be region free then Liteon is a better choice.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 11, 2008
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  9. strangesweet

    strangesweet Notebook Deity

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    Never mind about that burner. It's not available offline. It's hard to get stuff shipped in to Hawai'i...

    I just want something cheap because I just bought Lenovo X200.

    Is eBay drives good? They have used Samsung/LG for about $40-45 including shipping.
     
    strangesweet, Aug 11, 2008
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  10. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    There's nothing wrong with Samsung or LG optical drives. Almost every optical drive has its favorite media, but desktop burners are much less fussy than the slimline burners.

    You could also get a 5 1/4" enclosure and choose your own optical drive. Just check that the interface is the same. Desktop burners used to be PATA and are now moving over to SATA.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Aug 11, 2008
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  11. strangesweet

    strangesweet Notebook Deity

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    strangesweet, Aug 12, 2008
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