external or internal with external enclosure

[scrimp]

Im debating on whether I should get an external DL DVD-/+R drive OR just get an internal one and buy a USB2.0/Firewire enclosure for it. I have a laptop and right now I have a 300gb hard drive connected to it through a usb 2.0 enclosure and it works perfect.

I know for sure that it will be cheaper for me to get an internal one and stick it into an enclosure, but I want to get some opinions from other people for both situations.

 

[corkyg]

I have always used external burners - CD and now DVD. They are superior to internal in just about every way. One big plus is you never need to power them up unless you actually want to burn something.

In that regard, I highly recommend the external version because it has cooling and power supply exactly mated to the burner. I have two at present, both Plextors, a 12X and a 16X.

External burners do not involve the CPU as much as internal. I used external SCSIs from about 1995 to 2003 - then switched to external Firewire. I find that more reliable than USB 2 - basically a SCSI derivative, and better at sustained transfer rates.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I second corkyg on the use of firewire over USB 2. Never had a problem with my external 1394 stuff. My only complaint is that devices have to be turned on for the ones down the chain to work... I forget about that sometimes. And I would definitely get an external vice a internal / enclosure setup.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: tasburrfoot78362
I second corkyg on the use of firewire over USB 2. Never had a problem with my external 1394 stuff. My only complaint is that devices have to be turned on for the ones down the chain to work... I forget about that sometimes. And I would definitely get an external vice a internal / enclosure setup.

I don't chain - I use a powered 1394 hub, so the power aspect is never an issue.

 

[scrimp]

Thanx guys for the help. I just found a pretty good burner from LG. Ill look into it more. Well, I wont have to worry about the power issue coz i have an external enclosure with a 300gb drive in it and that remains constantly on, so ill just attach it to that