Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition DVD Drives

The Bottom Line: The LaCie d2 DVD+/-RW FireWire and USB 2.0 (16X/8X/4X/2.4X) with LightScribe is an average external drive at an average price.

Specs: DVD±RW (+R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD-R) / 16x (DVD+R) / 2.4x (DVD+R DL), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1608P is a steal: good overall performance at a low price.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1608P is a steal: good overall performance at a low price.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1608P is a steal: good overall performance at a low price.

Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 6x (DVD±R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: This double-layer drive is versatile but is easily outpaced by other external DVD drives.

Specs: DVD±RW (+R DL), 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD-R) / 12x (DVD+R) / 4x (DVD+R DL), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: The Asus DRW-1604P's generally slow performance scores overshadow its fast double-layer burning.

Specs: DVD±RW (+R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 32x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD+R DL), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)

The Bottom Line: HP's replacement for the DVD200i is solid, if uninspiring. You get decent performance and features and superior support for a darn good price.

Specs: DVD+RW, 40x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 16x (CD) / 4x (DVD), 10x (CD) / 2.4x (DVD)

The Bottom Line: If you're shopping for a DVD-recordable drive, put the fast, flexible DRU-500A at the top of your list.

Specs: DVD±RW, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD-R) / 2.4x (DVD+R), 10x (CD) / 2x (DVD-RW) / 2.4x (DVD+RW)

The Bottom Line: CenDyne's DVR-104 works well for authoring home DVDs, and a few updates make it a better deal than its predecessor. But this device is a bit slow compared to DVD+RW drives with second-generation DVD+R capability.

Specs: DVD-RW, 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD), 8x (CD) / 2x (DVD), 1x

The Bottom Line: While it has some flaws, the Sony DRU110A/C1 is a good value given its newer technology, and it's a fine choice for families or budding video-editing enthusiasts. But it has some stiff competition from the HP DVD-Writer DVD100i.

Specs: DVD+RW, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD), 12x, 10x (CD) / 2.4x (DVD)