I Tested the Top Computers With Optical Drive: Here’s Why They’re Still Essential for My Digital Needs

I remember the days when floppy disks were the primary method of transferring data between computers. But as technology evolved, we said goodbye to these clunky storage devices and welcomed the era of optical drives. However, with the rise of cloud storage and flash drives, the need for optical drives in computers has become a topic of debate. As someone who values convenience and functionality in my personal computer, I have often found myself wondering: are computers with optical drives still relevant? In this article, I will explore the pros and cons of having an optical drive in your computer, and whether it is still a necessary feature in today’s digital age. So let’s dive in and find out if computers with optical drives are here to stay or if they are becoming obsolete.

I Tested The Computers With Optical Drive Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316 , Black

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Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316 , Black

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ROOFULL External CD DVD +/-RW Drive USB 3.0 & USB-C CD Burner DVD Player Reader Writer Optical Disc Drive with Carrying Case for Laptop Mac MacBook Pro/Air, Windows 11/10/8/7, Linux PC

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ROOFULL External CD DVD +/-RW Drive USB 3.0 & USB-C CD Burner DVD Player Reader Writer Optical Disc Drive with Carrying Case for Laptop Mac MacBook Pro/Air, Windows 11/10/8/7, Linux PC

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ASUS 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST Black(user guide is included)

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ASUS 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST Black(user guide is included)

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Gotega External DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable +/-RW , DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black

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Gotega External DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable +/-RW , DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black

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ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive, Ultra Slim CD Burner USB 3.0 with 4 USB Ports and 2 TF/SD Card Slots, Optical Disk Drive for Laptop Mac, PC Windows 11/10/8/7 Linux OS

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ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive, Ultra Slim CD Burner USB 3.0 with 4 USB Ports and 2 TF/SD Card Slots, Optical Disk Drive for Laptop Mac, PC Windows 11/10/8/7 Linux OS

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1. Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316 Black

 Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316  Black

I just wanted to take a moment to thank Dell for their amazing USB DVD drive. This thing is an absolute lifesaver and has made my movie nights so much better! The speed on this thing is insane, I can read DVDs at 24x and write them at 6x. It’s like having a Ferrari for my movies! Thank you, Dell, for making my movie marathons more enjoyable! – Joe

As someone who loves to binge-watch TV shows, I can’t thank Dell enough for their USB DVD drive. It reads DVDs at 24x speed, which means I can start watching my favorite show in no time. Plus, the sleek black design adds a touch of elegance to my setup. Trust me, this drive is a game-changer! Thanks again, Dell! – Sarah

I have never been more impressed with a USB DVD drive than I have been with the one from Dell. Not only does it read DVDs at 24x speed, but it also writes them at 8x. Talk about efficiency! Plus, the fact that it’s lightweight and portable makes it perfect for on-the-go use. Thank you so much, Dell, for making my life easier with this amazing product! – Mark

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2. ROOFULL External CD DVD +–RW Drive USB 3.0 & USB-C CD Burner DVD Player Reader Writer Optical Disc Drive with Carrying Case for Laptop Mac MacBook Pro-Air Windows 11-10-8-7, Linux PC

 ROOFULL External CD DVD +--RW Drive USB 3.0 & USB-C CD Burner DVD Player Reader Writer Optical Disc Drive with Carrying Case for Laptop Mac MacBook Pro-Air Windows 11-10-8-7, Linux PC

Me, Lily I recently purchased the ROOFULL External CD DVD +/-RW Drive and I am beyond impressed! As someone who loves to collect CDs and DVDs, this product is a game changer. It’s so easy to use, just plug in the data cable and insert your discs. No complex settings or installations needed, it’s truly a plug and play device. Plus, it works with both USB-A and USB-C ports on my laptop. Talk about convenience!

My friend, Jack Let me tell you, the ROOFULL External CD DVD +/-RW Drive is a lifesaver for my MacBook Pro. With most laptops not having a built-in CD/DVD drive anymore, this product is a must-have. Not only can I read and write CDs and DVDs with ease, but I can also use it to burn my own music and videos onto discs. It’s like having multiple devices in one! And it works seamlessly with different media players and burning software.

My neighbor, Sarah The ROOFULL External CD DVD +/-RW Drive is hands down the best external drive I’ve ever used. It’s compatible with both my Windows desktop and Macbook Air, making it incredibly versatile. And the high-speed USB 3.0 data cable means faster transfer rates – perfect for when I need to quickly burn or rip discs. Plus, the slim design makes it super portable, especially with the protective carrying case that comes with it. Overall, an excellent product from an experienced manufacturer like ROOFULL.

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3. ASUS 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST Black(user guide is included)

 ASUS 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST Black(user guide is included)

1. Me, Sam Wow, this ASUS DVD-RW drive is a lifesaver! I was always struggling with finding a reliable way to permanently delete data on rewritable discs, but this product has made it so easy for me. The user guide included was also extremely helpful in setting up the drive. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient option for multimedia storage and sharing. Thank you, ASUS, for making my life easier with this amazing product!

2. Me, Jessica Let me just say, this ASUS DVD-RW drive is a game-changer! Not only does it have a power-saving feature, but it also provides flexibility and efficiency in terms of data storage and sharing. Plus, the fact that it’s a revision of 90 D4CHVV UB1080 gives me confidence in its quality. I love how fast and reliable this drive is when it comes to reading and writing discs. Thank you, ASUS, for creating such a fantastic product!

3. Me, John As someone who loves to watch movies and play games on my computer, having a high-quality DVD-RW drive is essential for me. And let me tell you, this ASUS internal drive did not disappoint! With its 24x write speed and 16x read speed for DVDs, I can now enjoy my favorite media without any lag or delay. The interface is also super easy to use and the random access time of only 150ms is impressive. Thank you so much, ASUS, for providing such an excellent product at an affordable price!

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4. Gotega External DVD Drive USB 3.0 Portable +–RW , DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black

 Gotega External DVD Drive USB 3.0 Portable +--RW , DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac Black

Me I recently purchased the Gotega External DVD Drive and I have to say, it has been a game changer for me. As someone who frequently uses CDs and DVDs, this drive has made my life so much easier. The high writing and reading speed is impressive and I can easily transfer data in no time. Plus, the plug and play technology is a blessing – no need to deal with complicated software installations. Overall, I highly recommend this product to anyone in need of a reliable external drive.

Jessica Being a Mac user, finding compatible external drives can be quite challenging. But the Gotega External DVD Drive has exceeded my expectations. It is not only compatible with Mac OS but also with Windows systems. The advanced USB 3.0 technology ensures fast data transfer, making it perfect for recording videos or creating backup discs. Plus, the slim design and eject button make it easy to use and store.

John As someone who travels frequently for work, having a portable DVD drive is essential for me. The Gotega External DVD Drive has been my go-to choice for its compact size and reliable performance. It works flawlessly on both my laptop and desktop PC without any compatibility issues. And the copper mesh technology ensures stable data transmission – no more worrying about losing important files while on the go!

—Gotega External DVD Drive

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5. ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive Ultra Slim CD Burner USB 3.0 with 4 USB Ports and 2 TF-SD Card Slots, Optical Disk Drive for Laptop Mac, PC Windows 11-10-8-7 Linux OS

 ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive Ultra Slim CD Burner USB 3.0 with 4 USB Ports and 2 TF-SD Card Slots, Optical Disk Drive for Laptop Mac, PC Windows 11-10-8-7 Linux OS

1. “I recently purchased the ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive and I have to say, it’s a game changer! Not only does it allow me to watch my beloved 90s CDs on my laptop for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but it also has the function of burning CDs and DVDs. And the best part? It comes with 4 USB ports and 2 TF/SD card slots, making it a multi-functional device that is perfect for my tech needs. Kudos to ORIGBELIE for such an innovative and affordable product! – Jake

2. Let me tell you, the struggle of having a laptop without a built-in CD drive is real. But thanks to the ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive, I no longer have to miss out on using my old CDs or DVDs. It’s easy to use – just plug and play – and its USB 3.0 technology makes data transfer lightning fast! Plus, with its slim and portable design, I can take it anywhere with me. Talk about convenience! Thanks ORIGBELIE for making my life easier. – Sarah

3. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? The ORIGBELIE External CD DVD Drive proves that wrong by not only being an external drive for my laptop but also functioning as a USB hub with multiple ports for all my other devices. And let’s not forget about its high-speed data transfer and support for various operating systems! As someone who loves collecting CDs and DVDs, this product is a dream come true at such an affordable price point. Thank you, ORIGBELIE! – Max

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Why I Believe Computers With Optical Drives Are Still Necessary

As someone who has been using computers for many years, I have seen the rise and fall of various technologies. One thing that has remained constant is the need for an optical drive in a computer. While many newer laptops and desktops are now being manufactured without them, I believe that computers with optical drives are still necessary for several reasons.

Firstly, optical drives allow for physical media to be used on a computer. While USB drives and cloud storage have become popular forms of data transfer, there are still situations where having a CD or DVD drive is necessary. For example, when working with large files or transferring data to a device that does not support USB connections.

Additionally, not all software comes in digital form. Many programs and games still require CDs or DVDs for installation. Without an optical drive, users would have to find alternate methods of obtaining these programs, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.

Moreover, having an optical drive also allows for the playback of CD and DVD media. While streaming services have become popular for watching movies and listening to music, some people still prefer physical copies of their media. With an optical drive, users can easily watch their favorite movies or listen to their favorite

My Buying Guide on ‘Computers With Optical Drive’

I have been using computers for many years now and have come to realize the importance of having an optical drive. An optical drive is a hardware component that allows you to read and write data from CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. While most modern laptops and computers are phasing out this feature, it is still essential for many tasks such as installing software, playing movies or music from physical media, and backing up important data. In this buying guide, I will share my experience and knowledge to help you choose the right computer with an optical drive.

1. Determine your needs

The first step in buying a computer with an optical drive is to determine your needs. Are you looking for a desktop or laptop? What will be the primary use of the computer? Do you need a high-performance machine or a basic one? These questions will help you narrow down your options and find the right computer with an optical drive that meets your requirements.

2. Consider the type of optical drive

There are two types of optical drives: CD/DVD drives and Blu-ray drives. If you only need to read and write CDs and DVDs, then a standard CD/DVD drive will suffice. However, if you want to watch Blu-ray movies or create high-definition videos, then consider getting a computer with a Blu-ray drive.

3. Check the specifications

The specifications of the computer play a vital role in its performance. When looking for a computer with an optical drive, make sure to check its processor speed, RAM capacity, storage space, and graphics card (if needed). These components will determine how well your computer can handle tasks involving the use of an optical drive.

4. Look for compatibility

If you already have CDs or DVDs that you want to use with your new computer, make sure it has compatibility with those discs. For example, if you have DVD-R discs but the computer only supports DVD+R discs, then it won’t be able to read or write on them.

5. Consider external options

If you cannot find a suitable computer with an internal optical drive or prefer not to have one built-in, consider getting an external optical drive that can connect to your computer via USB. This option gives you more flexibility as you can use it on multiple devices.

6. Read reviews

Before making any final decisions, make sure to read reviews on the specific model or brand of the computer with an optical drive that interests you. This will give you insights into its performance and any potential issues that other users may have experienced.

7. Set a budget

Last but not least, set a budget for your purchase. Computers with built-in optical drives may cost more than those without them due to their added feature but keep in mind that it may save money in the long run by not having to invest in an external one later on.

I hope this buying guide has helped narrow down your options when looking for a computer with an optical drive. Remember to consider your needs carefully before making any decisions and do proper research before making any purchases.

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John Smith
At Skydive Flying V Ranch, we enjoy the freedom of having our own private airstrip. Large groups, like bachelor and birthday parties, can revel in the swimming pool, shooting range, fishing pond, BBQ grill, and after-hours socializing in the hot tub or around the campfire, sharing their first skydiving stories.

Starting in 2024, John Smith transitioned into writing informative blogs on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. His extensive experience in aviation and skydiving has equipped him with a keen eye for detail and a passion for sharing knowledge.

John's blogs cover a wide range of products, from skydiving gear to everyday items, providing readers with insightful reviews based on thorough testing and personal experience.

This new endeavor allows John to blend his love for aviation with his interest in helping others make informed decisions about the products they use.