Internal DVD Burner for laptop, or get an external?

[cheezy321]

I really want to purchase a DVD burner but I can't decide whether to purchase an internal burner for my Compaq Presario X1030 laptop, or purchase an external DVD Burner drive? Any suggestions? Also, I know they make internal DVD burner drives that will replace my current CD drive in my laptop, but I can't seem to find any websites to purchase them from. Any suggestions?

 

[Jeff7]

Internal DVD writers will be expensive, at least they were last time I was shopping for a laptop. Mobile tech doesn't drop as quickly in price as desktop technology does.
But anyway, if you do get an external DVD burner, make sure your laptop has either USB 2.0 or Firewire. USB 1.1 will probably give you a lot of buffer underruns, if it'll even work at all. Come to think of it, if I remember correctly, DVD 1x is around 1.53MB/sec, and USB 1.1's max theoretical speed is 1.5MB/sec.

 

[corkyg]

My experience says always go external for burners if you can. They are more reliable and also are portable - to different computers. They are rarely needed on the road, however, so it makes sense to leave it home when traveling.

On the other hand, a DVD reader is almost essential on the road, and a combo CD/RW, DVD reader can be had for most laptops.

 

[cy7878]

I don't have an anwser but this has been my experience:

Internal drive --
Pro: one unit, easy to carry with you, looks cool.
con: expensive, most internal drive DON'T read DVD+ media

Ext drive --
pro: cheap, wide selection, easy upgradeable
con: it's external, needs own power, somehow my USB connection causes error in writing....

 

[NumbaJuan]

Also, I know they make internal DVD burner drives that will replace my current CD drive in my laptop, but I can't seem to find any websites to purchase them from. Any suggestions?[/quote]

Take a look