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I need a USB DVD-ROM for my laptop, but I have a couple of questions...

DrezDrez Registered User regular
edited May 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
So I'm looking at slim DVD burners for my Eee PC (1000HE).

Good 8x writers (that write DL at 6x and CD formats at 24x) seem to be in the $99 range, which is fine.

The question I have is about power. How are they powered? The ones I see at Best Buy say "power adapter included." Does that mean that they plug into a wall and that I can't use them on, say, a bus?

That kind of sucks if so. I know drives are a big power drain but...are there any external slim DVD-ROM/burners that function without being plugged into the wall?

Switch: SW-7690-2320-9238Steam/PSN/Xbox: Drezdar
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Posts

  • canadarobccanadarobc Registered User new member
    edited May 2009
    Ya, if it says "Power Adapter Included" that generally means it has its own power supply. I believe there are drives that you can plug into the usb and use th pc power, but off hand, none come to mind.

    canadarobc on
  • Iceman.USAFIceman.USAF Major East CoastRegistered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Burning DVD's on a bus isn't something I'd advise either way. Rough ride and all...

    Iceman.USAF on
  • DrFrylockDrFrylock Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Try Googling for "USB-powered DVD-ROM" and you'll get things like this or this. So they do exist, I guess.

    DrFrylock on
  • DrezDrez Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Awesome...thanks. This is another LG that does that...didn't realize:

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8990648&st=external+dvd&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218007087415

    Drez on
    Switch: SW-7690-2320-9238Steam/PSN/Xbox: Drezdar
  • GrobianGrobian What's on sale? Pliers!Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Drez wrote: »
    Awesome...thanks. This is another LG that does that...didn't realize:

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8990648&st=external+dvd&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218007087415

    I think that is the one I have for my ThinkPad. It works fine, no problems so far. A small caveat: it takes two USB ports (for the additional power), so you'll only have one port left for other stuff.

    Grobian on
  • embrikembrik Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    I'd recommend this one. I've used it myself. It does come with a second USB cable for extra power, but you may not need it (I didn't). Nice and compact, works great.

    embrik on
    "Damn you and your Daily Doubles, you brigand!"

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  • matt has a problemmatt has a problem Points to 'off' Points to 'on'Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Drez wrote: »
    Awesome...thanks. This is another LG that does that...didn't realize:

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8990648&st=external+dvd&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1218007087415
    Newegg has it for $89, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136156

    I have it, I've used it regularly and not had a single problem with it. It's straight up plug-and play.

    matt has a problem on
    nibXTE7.png
  • TL DRTL DR Not at all confident in his reflexive opinions of thingsRegistered User regular
    edited May 2009
    What do you think you'll need an optical drive for in a place with no outlets, just out of curiosity?

    Watching a movie on it would drain your battery much faster than if you ripped it to the hard drive, or even better a flash drive.

    TL DR on
  • AridholAridhol Daddliest Catch Registered User regular
    edited May 2009
    Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »
    What do you think you'll need an optical drive for in a place with no outlets, just out of curiosity?

    Watching a movie on it would drain your battery much faster than if you ripped it to the hard drive, or even better a flash drive.

    Seriously, 16GB USB flash drives are around $20 now and provide fine read speeds with less power.

    Aridhol on
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