Samsung Launches External DVD Writer for Netbooks

Netbooks now come standard with dual-core processors, and some of them even sport respectable graphics (Nvidia Ion). But save for a very small few, the vast majority of netbooks still don't ship with an optical drive. What's an optical disc-toting user to do?

Buy an external optical drive, of course. Samsung hopes you'll be drawn to its new SE-S084F extneral DVD writer, which the company promises will be on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season.


"Weighing less than one pound and available in five distinct colors, the Samsung SE-S084F DVD Writer was built for netbook and mini PC users, who require the flexibility of a smaller device, but do not want to sacrifice the benefits of an optical disc drive," said John Suh, director of OMS sales, optical disc drive division for Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. "For ultimate portability, the DVD writer offers customers high-performance reading and writing functions directly from a USB power source, removing the need for an AC adaptor or power cables."

Samsung says the new drive is both smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the SE-084C. Media speeds come rated as follows:

• 24X CD-ROM
• 24X CD-RW
• 8X DVD±R
• 5X DVD-RAM
• 6XDVD±R DL
• 6X DVD-R DL
• 8X DVD±RW
• 6XDVD-RW

The new drive also comes equipped with WriteMaster technology, which allows you to rip and burn your media while multitasking without worrying about mucking up your data, even on lower end PCs.

Look for the SE-S084F to sell for $60.