T43 Dvd+/-rw

Just a quick question which I can't find an answer to anywhere for some reason:
- ThankPad's standard "DVD Recordable 4Max" - is that a dual-layer drive or not? Can it read/white +/-R?

And also, are all T43 same size or is there a difference between models? Because in searches on Lenovo's site some come up 12.2x10x1.2 and some 13x10.9x1.4... - both for a 14.1" screen. Isn't the second dimension for 15"?

Thanks everyone!

 

The IBM drives can read dual layer discs but cannot burn them. They are starting to equip some of the newer T43s with 4x drives. I think you are right on the size thing. Good Luck.

 

I was thinking of buying a T43 2686DGU.
The optical drive is: CD-RW/DVD-R MultiBurner 4X Max
What does that mean? The dvd is only dvd-r then? No rewrite and no +r?

 

The DVD burner that comes with the T43 is the Panasonic UJ-822. It burns all DVDs at 2x: DVD+R, DVD-R and DVD-RAM. The 4x is CD-RWs. In my opinion, the UJ-822 is not a very good option. They are picky on media and burn quality is not very good. A better option if you are not moving it much or if you don't need to burn DVDs while on the road would be to buy an external in a case. It will offer faster burning and better burn quality. If you need a more portable solution, a slim laptop burner in a case is an option as well. I have a NEC ND-6500A in an external usb powered case. NECs are the best laptop burners in my opinion. Good Luck.

 

Yeah, i'm aware of that, i didn't specificaly want the dvd burner either, but it just came with the package. I can burn dvds on my desktop anyways. It's a what-the-heck-why-not thing to have if it's affordable, just was wondering what it burns.