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Laptop optical drives
Laptop optical drive terms:
CD - a drive that can read both CD-ROMs and music CDs
CD-R - engulfs all the features of a CD drive; can also create, or burn, CD-ROMs and music CDs
CD-RW - has all the features of a CD-R drive; can also write data to CD-RW discs, which are rewritable, thus making them similar in function to a much larger floppy disk
DVD - has all the features of a CD drive; can also read DVD-ROMs and play DVD movies
DVD-R - has all the features of a DVD drive, can also burn CDs, CR-ROMs, DVDs and DVD-ROMs
DVD-RW - one of two competing drive technologies that has all the features of a DVD-R drive; can also burn rewritable DVD-based discs
DVD+RW - the other of two competing drive technologies that has all the features of a DVD-R drive; can also burn rewritable DVD-based discs
DVD±RW - utilizes both DVD-RW and DVD+RW technologies so you can burn either format.
There are also combo drives available - drives that borrow features From two of these. In fact, for most laptop users, a CD-RW/DVD combo drive is probably the most inspired choice.
A combo drive on your laptop allows you to install software From CD-ROM, listen to music CDs, burn CD-R discs when you need to share files with someone, employ CD-RW discs as a backup medium, and watch a film.
Your unique requirements may dictate one of the more advanced drives listed above. One word of advice: If you do find a compelling need for rewritable DVD drive on your laptop, go with the DVD±RW if you don’t want to be left behind if and when one of these standards becomes all-pervasive.
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