Topic: Recommend an external DVD/CD burner?

[bhoy]

I'd like to buy an external DVD/CD burner.  I'd use it at work with my work PC, and possibly at home with my laptop.  I just got a Dell catalog that offers the Plextor PX-712UF for about $220.  Is this a decent burner or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks,
Bill

[OFOTD]

I'd like to buy an external DVD/CD burner.  I'd use it at work with my work PC, and possibly at home with my laptop.  I just got a Dell catalog that offers the Plextor PX-712UF for about $220.  Is this a decent burner or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks,
Bill

You couldn't have picked a better burner! 

[dnsacks]

OR, you could pick up the VERY nice NEC 3520A internal burner from Newegg.com for $49.99, shipped (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152035), along with an external enclosure, for an additional $30+ (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=5.25+enclosure&Category=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0) for a list) and have a superior dvd/cd burner setup for less than 1/2 the cost of the plextor.

[BJ]

OR, you could pick up the VERY nice NEC 3520A internal burner from Newegg.com for $49.99, shipped (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152035), along with an external enclosure, for an additional $30+ (see http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=5.25+enclosure&Category=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0) for a list) and have a superior dvd/cd burner setup for less than 1/2 the cost of the plextor.

I personally would go this route...excellent choice...mine rox...and its 1/4 the price!

[bhoy]

Is it easy to put the two parts together to make a standalone, portable unit?  I looked at the cases, and it looks like you just plop in the burner and do a little bit of wiring.  Are all the cases similar?

Once I have this built will my pc's recognize the burner?  I'm guessing both the burner and the case will come with Windows drivers.

Sorry for so many questions - I didn't know there was a solution this cheap.

Thanks,
Bill

[dnsacks]

I've done this a few times with hard disk drives (putting internal hard disk drives into external cases) and it's even easier -- slap the drive into the case, plug in the usb2 cable and it should be up and running.  You won't even need to install any drivers, just a dvd/cd burning program, like nero.

[OFOTD]

Thought this may be a good article to read.

http://www.techspot.com/reviews/hardware/dvdburner_roundup3/

They have a burner shoot-off so to speak.

I know alot of folks like to fluff the external cases around here but unfortunately I know more people that have had problems with them than not.  Plus they are all so friggen ugly.  As always you get what you pay for.

[F.O.Bean]

i use a IOMEGA external usb 2.0 dvd/cd burner, its just a rebranded LITE-ON if you could just find one of those

mine was about 200 bucks but i got a phat 3-year warranty(why i bought it mainly)

[momule]

Thought this may be a good article to read.

http://www.techspot.com/reviews/hardware/dvdburner_roundup3/

They have a burner shoot-off so to speak.

I know alot of folks like to fluff the external cases around here but unfortunately I know more people that have had problems with them than not.  Plus they are all so friggen ugly.  As always you get what you pay for.

I would start with this , With DVD burning I like having the 8mb Buffer...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131338

then depending on your Budget you could go with this one. (I have personally used Both cases)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145748

or for a few extra Bucks and still keep it under your budget (it sounds like)
this one is built like a tank.  And IMO its pretty stylish..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145152


Nick