thinkpad ultrabase dock & cd/dvd-rom drive

sorry if this has been posted before. i just recently joined the forum.

my concern is i have this thinkpad x40. but it doesnt come with the ultrabase dock. and i'm planning to get one somewhere from ebay or if i can find one in my local computer stores. but the thing is i'm not sure whether or not the dock comes with intgrated cd/dvd-rom drive. or if i have to purchase the drive separately? well if the dock costs me somewhere around $100-200 and i have to buy the drive separately which then again costs me around $100 then it would be better off for me to buy an external drive. which brand do you guys recommend based on previous experience, quality, and performance.

i like pioneer very much but there isnt much around on the internet nor at computer stores... then how about targus?

thank you.

 

I had the exact same question when I was looking for a CD/DVD rom for my X40. As far as I know the cd/dvd rom is not included unless it explicitly states that it is included. So unless you can find a deal on ebay you can save alot of money getting an external cd/dvd rom from somewhere else.

One thing you'll want if you do get an external cd/dvd rom is for it to be able to power off your powered USB port on your X40, some just use a non powered USD port for data and require you to plug the unit into an outlet via a separate cord. While this method would still work it means more cords to deal with.

I'm considering buying this one by Lacie. I have no idea it its any good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827187032

 

zazonz can provide the links, he has a case for a laptop drive that sells for ~$20, and you can toss any standard sized drive in. NEC DVD burner sells at newegg for ~$60, so whole thing should be under $90 shipped. Is USB powered.

 

thanks yeah it happened to me once. there was a good bargain i saw on the internet last time when i was looking for an external hdd. it was so cheap and i went ahead and bought it. once i unpacked the thing, i realised that the external hdd needs the power adapter plugged on the wall socket everytime i had to use it. it cant power on/off by itself when i checked the description of the product on the net it didnt mention there. the silly mistake that i made was i didnt ask the seller when i was in the store. because normally i did the research on the internet before buying something and if it was cheap then i just grabbed it and off you go.

later,
sky

 

Actually I can't. Centrix Intl. is the company that sells them, but for some reason they make it difficult to link to the product. If you go to their site it is under External Optical. There are two cases. They are both $15 with $5 shipping. I have had them both and prefer the plain looking one.

 

wow... zazonz thank you very much very good site mate. it has the pioneer that i'm looking for. might probably have a chat with the sales department. the thing is sometimes online store doesnt offer delivery outside the us and canada. because i'm in australia, shipment is always a hassle.

later,
sky

 

I would say most internet retailers in the US are like that. In addition most won't accept credit cards from outside the US. You are probably looking at having to send a money order if they will do it, but by all means contact them. All they can do is say no.

 

http://www.centrix-intl.com/details.asp?productid=433

I assume that is the one you were talking about?

does it require both USB cables to be connected for use? Or what is the second USB cable for?

 

One USB cable is for Power, the other is for data. I wish there was a way to do this with just one cable but I don't think you can when buying from a 3rd party manufacturer.

By the way if you used on your X40 your powered USB port is on the left side. It has the regular USB connector on top and the slightly narrower USB Power connector on the bottom.

 

i might probably get an external optical drive since i know i will seldom use the dock besides for this purpose.