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    External USB DVD Writer for Laptop

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by EngineHeat, Jun 7, 2010.

  1. EngineHeat

    EngineHeat Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a dell xps m1530, thats two years old. Works fine except the internal slot dvd writer does not read or write any cd/dvd.

    I have changed it two times till now which i believe has been due to my excessive usage and laptop becoming very hot(im not sure though).

    This time i am planning on purchasing an external usb dvd writer, probably a transcend one --->

    Transcend unveils new black slim portable CD/DVD writer - HiTech Review

    I want to know if i can just plug and play the above devise on my windows vista, or will there be someconflict with the already installed drivers of the internal slot dvd writer.

    Thanks.
     
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I don't foresee any problems for you.
     
  3. EngineHeat

    EngineHeat Notebook Enthusiast

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    Cool. Thanks.

    Can you good guys also suggest me if the piece im buying is a decent piece?

    Any other suggestions other than a transcend in the same price bracket?

    Thanks.
     
  4. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Just go to NewEgg and buy one. They're all about the same these days.
     
  5. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    there are plenty USB external writers but if u have an e-SATA port and an e-SATA writer , it would be better and way faster.. USB will in a way bottleneck the writer...
     
  6. EngineHeat

    EngineHeat Notebook Enthusiast

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    No, my Dell XPS M1530 does not have an eSATA port. *sigh*
     
  7. woofer00

    woofer00 Wanderer

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    An eSata expresscard could give you two eSata ports. I hold all my massive and annoying files (backups and image, mostly) on a small 2.5" eSata drive. Cuts down significantly on read/write times. Worthwhile investment if you haven't got an eSata port yet. The card isn't that expensive, I think.
     
  8. EngineHeat

    EngineHeat Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi. My main purpose for purchasing the external writer is to play cd's and dvd's. Data storage is not an issue for me.

    I just need to play some cd's or dvd's every now and then. I don't have much use of the dvd writer but somehow the internal slot dvd writer keeps getting bust(3 in total, including the busted one installed in the laptop now). So for an occasional use i am planning on purchasing an external writer. Plug it, use it, and store it back to safety.

    But thanks anyways for the info on eSata expresscards, i will surely look into it for future purposes.
     
  9. hydra

    hydra Breaks Laptops

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    Look around for the LG 18x Super Multi writers. USB 2.0, very fast but rather large. Not sure if portability is an issue but cheap if you can find them. These will blow the doors of any internal laptop drive.