DVD and CD Writers: SATA, IDE and USB Burners

SATA, IDE or USB: the connection your machine has

Check the connector before the brand or speed. Current desktops use SATA, with a thin data cable and a separate power lead. Older PCs use IDE (also called PATA or ATAPI), a wide ribbon cable plus a four-pin power plug, and most current motherboards no longer have an IDE header. Laptops use slim drives about 9.5 or 12.7 mm tall on a small slim-SATA connector, and USB models avoid the question entirely by working with any computer that has a port.

Combo drives, write speeds and the discs they accept

Product type matters. A DVD burner or DVD writer records DVDs and CDs; a combo drive reads DVDs but writes only CDs. Speeds are listed per operation, such as 24X for DVD+R writing, 48X or 52X for CD-R writing, and lower figures for rewritable discs, and the disc's own rating sets what is achievable. Look for dual-layer support if you plan to use 8.5 GB discs. A few models mention label-burning features such as LightScribe, which only work with special discs.

Questions about DVD and CD Writers: SATA, IDE and USB Burners

Will an IDE burner work on a new motherboard?

Only if the board has an IDE header, which most current boards lack. A SATA burner is the better fit for modern desktops, and a USB external writer works with anything that has a USB port.

What does combo drive mean on a DVD listing?

A combo drive reads DVDs but only writes CDs. To record DVDs, look for DVD burner or DVD writer as the product type, and check that DVD+R and DVD-R write speeds are listed.

What is the difference between a slim drive and a standard drive?

A standard drive uses the 5.25-inch format and fits a desktop bay. A slim drive is about 12.7 or 9.5 mm thick and fits laptops and compact PCs. Their connectors differ, so measure the bay and read the listing before replacing one.