Is an internal or external DVD Burner better?

Question

I would like to also know what is the best brand, and consider price, features and writing speed. I would like one for around or (preferably) under $100. Know any stores which have sales on DVD burners now?

Answer 1

I recently bought an Imation internal DVD burner. It's working great!
I think internal is good becuase you won't move it, won't fall, won't break accidently at least to me. External drivers are better if you're working on two or more PCs like one at your house and another at work and at a friend's house. I have one warning though, whatever you do, DON'T buy LG burners.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I would need more information about your computer to give you the right advice. Mac or PC? Number of slots available? What kind of connectivity? etc. If you have a fire wire port, the LaCie fire wire DVD burner (external) [lacie.com] is terrific and they give great service. It has a year warranty, but I'm not sure about the current price. I have one that has LightScribe and can etch designs on the up side of the dvd. It cost $170, but without LightScribe they may be cheaper.

As far as internal or external is concerned, the devices use the same mechanism. The external one is easier to set up as you don't have to open up the computer and fiddle with mounting screws and the like. But it may cost more because it has a case.

Answer 3

Internal burners are cheaper than externals, but the MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) [average lifespan] is shorter than readers. So swapping an ext out is a snap.

The reasoning for the average person to have one escapes me.

My PC has a DVD player, and I've used it ONCE. Data files (for me) fit on flashdrives (I'll occasionally BU to CD-R).

Answer 4

Now that you're set on buying a new DVD burner, you've got a big decision to make: internal or external? Internal drives are less expensive, but you have to deal with installing them, and then they're anchored to one machine. External drives can be moved around to different PCs or used with laptops if necessary.

compusa:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=320106&pfp=hpf1

Answer 5

From personal experience, An external drive, is easier to set up and they tend to burn faster and better then an internal. Especially if you have 2.0 USB ports on your computer it will run to its' full potential if you are buying a newer external drive. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Internal DVD burner is most commonly advised as it is prone to less physical shock and is fixed at one place. this would ensure greater Driver life.

External DVD is definately handy , but it is more expensive and less durable due to mobility and External physical chock due to rough handeling

Answer 7

yes both are good to have but try getting yourself an external dvd-CD burner+RW if you can....i myself i have an external burner and two internal for the Alienware i have.

hope it helps...Jacob

ps..buy one with a firewall

Answer 8

Actually internal DVD burner's ARE better because the IDE interface is faster than USB or FIREWIRE. Technically, they shouldn't be if you go by the numbers (Firewire 400Mb/s; USB 480 Mb/s; IDE UDMA66) however internally, they are faster.

Answer 9

i like internal but external is just as good
internal most systems come with one now but you can have someone put one in , its not that hard, or just buy an external and hook it through the bk of your computer

Answer 10

external saves the trouble of fixing without opening up the pc itself plus its portable to other systems