HP USB 2.0 External 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Model dvd1040e LightScribe Support

Pros: Worked with every OS and format I threw at. I made about a dozen data disks, 2 ISO images, and one movie. I used Windows XP, Linux, and Windows 7 (beta). Relatively fast - faster than any fixed drive I own (not saying much). External power means I can use the other sparse USB ports on my ancient laptop for other uses. It doesn't use a wall-wart power supply.

Cons: Its as bulky as others have indicated (it's a desktop 5.25 half bay drive, after all). It could have the AC/DC transformer/power supply at the back of the case, eliminating the need for a 'brick' mid-chord. Its moderately noisy (particularly noisy when on my desktop (which acts like a sound board), but when sitting on the the tower 4' to 5' from my keyboard and monitor - I don't hear much (but I don't hear as much as I used to). I worry about the life-time based on other reviews, but not enough to buy the extended guarantee. (None of these were significant enough to downgrade the rating from 5 eggs in 3 days of testing & use.)

Overall Review: The cord ran easily from the USB on the bottom of one of my tower cases to the top of the unit. Not as neat as I'd like, it had to drape across the other drives, but it did reach. This is a good addition to my old laptop which does not have a DVD burner, but it needs to go in checked baggage, not in my carry-on due to the size. The manual does indicate 'writing' times for Light Scribe (r) labels (full graphics at high fidelity may take more than 30 minutes) - but I wasn't able to test it.

Pros: Works great when it works.

Cons: Have had to throw away many many lightscribe CDs because it only burned a corner of the image/ text it was supposed to. We use this for our company and burn a lot of cds for clients and this burner cannot handle the load (doing 8-20 in a short span). The burning software says everything went find but the cds only have a corner of what was supposed to be on there. I found that restarting the computer helps.

Overall Review: I would say don't buy because it there are so many issues that I have had.

Pros: Runs fast and is quiet. Burns DVDs, etc well, no problems with playback connected to Asus Eee PC 1000H

Cons: Requires external power source, ships with a fairly short USB cable. Somewhat large case.

Overall Review: For what you get this is a pretty good drive. Only thing I wish it had was some way to be bus powered, but oh well. Not a deal killer for me since I plan to keep it in my office, but for someone who travels a lot you may want to look at a smaller, bus powered drive.

Pros: I did a lot of research on the item - comparing several web sites to get all the info possible. I noticied a lot of remarks about noise and "coasters". The item works well and as it should. It is not loud, it does not get hot. It sounds like any other disk related drive should - that is - you hear it - but it is not an unusual sound and is not loud. My only issue is with the Nero software. That's the reason I rate it a 4 instead of a 5. It was not particularly easy to install (you don't know when it is done, or what it is doing) and I am sure there are better applications to be had. For the price - the HP is a great buy.

Cons: Nero software - install process is not the greatest. If you don't mind a longer install and the hassell of not knowing what it's doing - and a whole lot of desktop icons being created - I suppose it's ok, that is - functional.

Overall Review: Buy the longer USB cable to go with this. The HP supplied cable is silly short (about 36 inches). Slow down and read! If you pay attention and take the install slowly I think you can most of the issues other people are claiming.

Pros: Reads & Burns Disks fast Lightscribe work great!

Cons: external

Overall Review: This being an external burner, I like it best of all of my units. I have benq, Liteon and other internal burners, but this HP is faster and burns everything I need.

Pros: See my previous Jan 09 review: This replacement unit is the same in almost every way as my original unit with a few notable exceptionss. See the "cons" below. 1) though still fast, notably not as fast as the first unit.

Cons: 1) Though audible, noticeably quieter than the original (Does not sound like it's about to take off like an airplane when revving up). All other cons, are the same as with the original (i.e. short USB cord, large unit for portability between PCs/notebook, etc.), with the exception that I don't know how long this unit will last, since I've only been using it 2 mos now.

Overall Review: NewEgg hassle free replacement. Differences in noticeable rev speed and audibility tell me that my original may have been a fluke, or perhaps the replacement is, since they are not consistent in this manner. Noticably quieter & slower (now takes about 10 min to burn a full DVD) but still fast enough for my needs, & I'm hopefull that the slower speed will increase this units longevity over its "shooting star" predesessor. If this unit fails within a year of ownership I will submit a follow up review. As it stands this relatively inexpensive unit functions the same in every other way as the original first reviewed (very good), and other than already stated, possesses the same shortcomings. I still didn't need to use the accompanying software, nor do I use the "Lightscribe" feature. The only irreconcilable problem I had with the original was that it failed so quickly with intermittant-moderate use. It is still too soon to tell whether this unit will fare any better over the long run???

Pros: Great burner, fast if you have the 20x dvds, built good, cool side stand design.

Cons: little big but its a dvd drive, short usb but not a prob usb cords are cheap.

Pros: The *first* one I bought made 4-5 great DVDs FAST....

Cons: ...but then quit working; kept saying "please insert disc" over & over again. So, I swapped it for another one, which NEVER worked. :( I got either "device not accessible" errors OR "no space on media/remove data" -- for a BLANK dvd-r. Tried both laptop & desktop PC's & multiple burning software brands, but could not burn a single disc. Very disappointing.

Overall Review: Newegg has some of the best customer service I have ever encountered - no problems returning defective units. At least you can buy with confidence from them even if the product doesn't work out.