What kind of CD writer should I buy, if at all?

Question

I've just been down the computer mall. I enquired about CD writers. New brand name (Epson, HP) basic writers are under 10 GBP and CD/DVD writers are under 20 GBP. I am not sure which to buy. I haven't got a writer on my computer as it's old. What type of user would require each type? What are the advantages of CDs over thumb drives?

Answer 1

For general purpose use, a thumbdrive is better since virtually all computers nowadays have USB ports, and it's re-writeable.

To back up existing media or files, you want a burner. DVD burners will make both DVD and CD media. Given the cost, you are better off with a DVD burner that gives you the option for both, but more importantly the 4+GB DVD's vs 700MB CD's. Media is around the same cost nowadays, and if you have to back up much data you will end up spending more over time when you have to buy 6 cd's to hold the same amount of data as 1 DVD.

Answer 2

I agree with the others - I would spend the extra and get a DVD writer (DVD-RW). They are not much more money and actually burn CDs better and faster than a CD-RW.

Any computer from the last 7 years can support a IDE/ATAPI type optical drive - they use a wide 40 pin ribbon cable. I have had the best luck with NEC and LiteOn drives - a little more money but very reliable and quiet. Some even come with Nero burning software bundled in the box - this will save you a LOT of money.

CDs and DVDs are nice because you can give one to a friend or back up all your data (pictures, documents, etc) and put it in your safe or keep it at work to prevent loss or theft.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You say you have not got a writer cos it's old. How old, if it had not got a writer built in then it must be old. Before you go out and buy a DVD/CD burner first check your CPU speed amd operating system. Then before spending your cash check the system requirements of the writers you are looking at. You may well be OK but it's not worth spending money only to find your computer does not support it. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

cd writers are useful for those you like to back 7up files on under 700mb and cd/dvd writers are for those who like to backup there system files. advantage that cd's have over thumbs drives is that there non volitae which mean they won't lose the data due to a shock thumb drives are subject to lose all data at once if handle improperly cd/dvd won't lose data but can become hard to read

Answer 5

the only you plug into the exterior of your laptop (on the back or on the front or on the edge - everywhere) is the exterior. yet another difference is that the get admission to time for an inner is many times greater useful than the get admission to time for an exterior.

Answer 6

if i were you mate,i would go for a all round dvd writer,this enables you to be able to burn all types of media
this will include,cd-r,cd+r,cd-rw,cd+rw,dvd-r,dvd+r,dvd-rw,dvd+rw,dvd-dl(dual-layer),and dvd-ram
my reason for recommending a dvd writer over a cd writer is dvd blank disks are much cheaper than cd disks lately and can also hold much more than cd-r(dvd=4.7gb / cd= 700mb),this is a massive difference,and with most files being larger these days more space is essential
dual layer disks are dvd disks but can burn in 2 layers,so a dvd-dl can burn up to 9.4gb(this is probally big enough to burn a ghost image of your operating system)
also you can get lightscribe dvd writers which burn a design on the cd/dvd ,this is handy if you want to design a demo disk or just put disk contents on the front,here is a few recommendations i have chosen.................
1)Asus DRW-1814BL 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-028-AS&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=349),heres the specifications/speeds..............................
DVD+R: 16x, DVD-R: 16x
- DVD+R DL: 8x, DVD-R DL: 8x
- DVD+RW: 8x, DVD-RW: 6x
- DVD-RAM 12x
- DVD-ROM Read: 16x
- CD-R Write: 48x
- CD-RW Write 32x
- CD Read: 48x
- Access time: 130ms
- Buffer Size: 2MB
- Lightscribe Labelling Function
2)HP DVD-940i 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter -(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-006-HP&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=349),best of the bunch,from hewlett packard,good quality assured....heres the specs.................
DVD+R: 18x, DVD-R: 18x
- DVD+R DL: 8x, DVD-R DL: 8x
- DVD+RW: 8x, DVD-RW: 6x
- DVD-RAM 12x
- DVD-ROM Read: 16x
- CD-R Write: 48x
- CD-RW Write 32x
- CD Read: 48x
- Access time: 130ms
- Buffer Size: 2MB
- Lightscribe Labelling Function
- Complete with Beige and Black bezzel
3)Samsung SH-182MRSMN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-080-SA&groupid=701&catid=10&subcat=349),good build quality,and good burn speeds,again its a good make,samsung you know the product is good quality........heres the specifications...........
- DVD+R: 18x, DVD-R: 18x
- DVD+R DL: 8x, DVD-R DL: 8x
- DVD+RW: 8x, DVD-RW: 6x
- DVD-RAM 12x
- DVD-ROM Read: 16x
- CD-R Write: 48x
- CD-RW Write 32x
- CD Read: 48x
- Access time: 130ms
- Buffer Size: 2MB
- Lightscribe Labelling Function
personally i would go for the hewlett packard,as they are experts in their feild,and everything i have bought from h/p including p.c,s have been of excellent quality
good luck!