Why You Should Buy a Portable USB CD Drive for Your Netbook

Netbook computers come with many advantages over larger traditional laptops. With their small size, light weight, and long battery lives, they are ideal choices for those who need access to their computers away from the desk or office. There is, however, one significant disadvantage with which many netbook owners are unfortunately very familiar: The lack of an optical (CD/DVD) drive. This fact may lead some to choose a traditional notebook computer over a netbook, but external USB CD drives are available. If you are a netbook owner, why should you consider purchasing an external optical drive?

First, an external optical drive makes installing applications on your netbook considerably easier. While netbooks were originally marketed as platforms to access web-based applications, the truth is that your netbook computer is easily as powerful as the desktops of a few years ago. Netbook computers can run many business and personal applications such as Microsoft Office which you may have purchased on CD. While it is possible to use another computer to transfer the install files to your netbook, this is a complicated and time-consuming process. An external drive will allow you to install your programs just as easily as on any other computer.

Second, an external optical drive with a disc-writer (such as a CD-R or DVD-R) provides a simple means of backup for your netbook. The very portable nature of a netbook computer exposes it to more risks than the average laptop. All computers should have their files backed up regularly, of course, but it is even more important to do so on a computer which endures the higher risk of damage that comes with being carried everywhere. A CD-R or DVD-R may have a lifespan of fifty years or more, which is considerably longer than the life of the average hard drive; this is an extremely stable way of archiving your important data.

Third, a portable USB CD drive that can also read DVDs attached to a netbook can allow the netbook to function as a portable DVD player for entertainment purposes. The newest drives are light enough to be quite portable, and running off a good netbook battery can easily run long enough to watch movies or television shows while on the go.

Although there are obviously some people in the world who can make do without, an external optical drive provides many valuable benefits to owners of netbook computers.

The Top 3 Best USB CD Drives

Chances are, if you purchased one of the latest netbooks such as the EEE PC or HP Mini, you notice it does not come with a CD Drive. Yet, if you want to install software, games, and other programs which come on a CD, you need some way to get it onto your computer. The simplest solution is an external CD Drive with a USB cable. You may also need an external CD drive if yours is broken and you need a cheap solution. This article discusses the three best and most economical solutions available on the market.

It’s true, you could use a USB flash drive (you know, those little sticks that plug into your computer). However, most software, such as operating systems or games will require you to use advanced computer skills which are more trouble to learn than it’s worth. With a USB CD drive, you simply insert the CD and follow the instructions when prompted. And, you’d be surprised to learn that some external CD drives are now price competitive with USB sticks.

USB 2.0 External CD-ROM by Sunvalleytek

You can find these on Amazon.com currently for $11.48. For comparison, this is about the same price as you would pay for a 4 GB flash drive. It’s plug and play which means it’s powered by the same cable which transfers information to the computer. As the least expensive and most user-friendly solution, the Sunvalleytek USB 2.0 external CD-ROM is the number one choice. Keep in mind, though, you can only read CDs with it. It doesn’t give you any options for writing (a.k.a burning) a CD.

Extra Portable Slim CD Writer by PWR+

Currently at $21.90, this nifty little drive burns to a CD as well as reads it. This give you the added benefit of being able to back up, copy, and store information onto a CD. And with the cheap price of blank CDs, it is a very economical solution. Much like the Sunvalleytek model above, it is light weight and easy to carry.

Slim Portable USB 2.0 External CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive by Sunvalleytek

If you would like to install larger software or video games, it would be worth getting an external drive which also reads DVDs as well as CDs. It will cost you more, though. The lowest priced option for a drive which reads DVDs is also made by Sunvalleytek. It can both read and burn (write) to CD like the drive above. However, it includes the ability to read DVDs (although, it does not burn to DVD). The cost is $39.95.

Conclusions

It should be stated that there is also the option of getting an external hard drive. A good size of 250 GB would start at around $50 dollars. However, it would only be able to install downloaded software from the internet (i.e. you can’t use CDs or DVDs). Another option is an external drive which both reads and burns CD and DVD. Those also start at the $50 price range so they haven’t been included in this article. If you just need to occasionally install some software, then these three USB CD drives will be your best options.

USB CD Drive Buying Guide

Computers are considered by most to be the ultimate solution to handling personal and business problems. Computers have been around for decades. And more and more people are finding that they rely on their personal computer to handle many of their personal and business activities. It wasn’t so long ago that owning a computer was considered a luxury. Now, most schools require their students to own a computer. And a computer is almost a main staple in many modern homes. Earlier personal computers were equipped with only a CD Drive. Most modern day computers are equipped with a DVD Drive. So, what if you have an older model computer with a CD Drive that simply stopped operating? Well, there are two options: buy an internal CD drive, or an external USB CD Drive. The best option for most is to purchase a USB CD Drive.

First, let’s define a CD Drive. A CD Drive or Compact Disk Drive reads the CD Disk that are placed in its slot. A CD Drive can be used to burn information to a CD if it is a write drive. Computer Users can use a CD Drive to install software, store data, or even play music. What follows is a list of a few of the top CD Drives.

HP CD/DVD R/RW Drive External USB – This is a nice basic external CD Drive manufactured by HP. This CD reader and write should answer all one’s basic computer needs. This CD Drive is also a DVD reader and writer and makes an excellent combo. Available at many computer, electronic, stores. Price:$102.00

HQRP External USB 2.0 Slim DVD / CD-RW Drive – This is a budget friendly CD Drive. Simply plug the device into any USB port. The CD has a very slim design and is perfect for those with limited desktop space. Price:$54.91

USB External CD-ROM CDROM Drive for ASUS EEE – This is the perfect CD Drive for those with a small portable ASUS laptop. Has a USB interface. Price:$19.91.

Installing an external CD Drive is easier than most might think. These drives are simply plug and play. To get started turn on the computer. Plug the device into any available USB port. Then place the CD installation disk in the drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the CD Drive. And in a few minutes you should be ready to use your new drive.