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For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
Which optical drive do you use with X60?
Which optical drive do you use with X60?
Hello all, this is my first post. I just purchased a "new" X60 off of eBay and since an ultrabase will not be included, I will have to find an external cd-rw/dvd device that connects via the USB port.
Do any of you use this type of device and if so, what brand/model have you used successfully? I eventually plan to spring for the ultrabase and multi-burner but will have to wait at least a month or two for that. Meanwhile, I need the external drive in order to install software.
I'm looking to spend no more than $80 or so... any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
-ps- is it possible to watch a DVD using an external drive?
Thanks,
Monica
Do any of you use this type of device and if so, what brand/model have you used successfully? I eventually plan to spring for the ultrabase and multi-burner but will have to wait at least a month or two for that. Meanwhile, I need the external drive in order to install software.
I'm looking to spend no more than $80 or so... any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
-ps- is it possible to watch a DVD using an external drive?
Thanks,
Monica
-
pianowizard
- Senior ThinkPadder

- Posts: 8556
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:07 am
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Contact:
I have owned lots of X-series Thinkpads (including an X60s) and have a $50 USB2 DVD burner that worked well with all of them. It's just a standard desktop DVD burner ($26) put in a USB external drive enclosure ($24). I got both from Geeks.com. One can boot Windows from such a drive, and movie DVDs play very well.
I hate docking stations because they take up so much space and because they aren't universally compatible.
I hate docking stations because they take up so much space and because they aren't universally compatible.
Dell Latitude 7370 (QHD+, 2.84lb); HP Pavilion x2 12-b096ms (FHD+, 3.14lb); Microsoft Surface 3 (FHD+, 2.00lb);
HP Z440 (Xeon E5-1630 v3); Dell OptiPlex 5040 SFF (Core i5-6600), OptiPlex XE2 (Core i7-4770S)
Acer ET322QK, T272HUL; Crossover 404K; QNIX QHD2410R; Seiki Pro SM40UNP
HP Z440 (Xeon E5-1630 v3); Dell OptiPlex 5040 SFF (Core i5-6600), OptiPlex XE2 (Core i7-4770S)
Acer ET322QK, T272HUL; Crossover 404K; QNIX QHD2410R; Seiki Pro SM40UNP
The best is the Plextor PC 608 CU/T3
Full USB powered, no external Power Supply needed.
http://www.plextor.be/products/PX-608CU ... e=PX-608CU
Full USB powered, no external Power Supply needed.
http://www.plextor.be/products/PX-608CU ... e=PX-608CU
Excellent, thanks to both of you for the advice! I hadn't realized you can actually watch a DVD from these external drives (thought they'd be too slow).
I lucked out and found a brand new Targus dvd/cd-rw slim drive on ebay for a little over $13.00. It's not the latest model, but it burns CD's. Here are the specs:
http://www.targus.com/us/drivers_manual ... PA930USB20
We'll see how well it works, I'll be sure to follow up and provide a mini review.
As for the plextor drive, it looks very nice--I did a search on Google and it seems to be for sale only in Europe?
~monica
I lucked out and found a brand new Targus dvd/cd-rw slim drive on ebay for a little over $13.00. It's not the latest model, but it burns CD's. Here are the specs:
http://www.targus.com/us/drivers_manual ... PA930USB20
We'll see how well it works, I'll be sure to follow up and provide a mini review.
As for the plextor drive, it looks very nice--I did a search on Google and it seems to be for sale only in Europe?
~monica
I just use the DVD burner in my X6. I probably wouldn't spend the extra money on it if it weren't included, but it came as part of the $700-off-web price deal back in August.
Thinkpad X60s 1704-69U / Vista Ultimate
www.frattaroli.us
We go out in the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones
www.frattaroli.us
We go out in the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones
-
ryengineer
- Moderator Emeritus

- Posts: 4393
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:29 pm
- Location: L.A. (home town) CA, Toronto ON.
I use IBM USB 2.0 CD-RW/DVD-ROM COMBO II (FRU 22p9209) with my X series.
"I've come a long, long way," she said, "and I will go as far,
With the man who takes me from my horse, and leads me to a bar."
The man who took her off her steed, and stood her to a beer,
Were a bleary-eyed Surveyor and a DRUNKEN ENGINEER.
With the man who takes me from my horse, and leads me to a bar."
The man who took her off her steed, and stood her to a beer,
Were a bleary-eyed Surveyor and a DRUNKEN ENGINEER.
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