Adding a DVD Burner, Help Needed, Please.....

[Ed1955]

I'm currently using a Dell 8600 (specs in my signature line) and the machine only has a CD burner, no DVD burner. I've been told that other than an OEM Dell burner, I'm probably not going to find an internal unit that matches up the face plate well enough so it doesn't look like a Rube Goldberg job. My question is this, Can any of you please help me with your suggestions of internal and external DVD burners and where to purchase them? I would very much appreciate all advice!
Respectfully,
Ed

[Yoob@NBF]

Dell still carries the internal drive you want in question at Dell spare parts. Ebay is also a another alternative which carries truck loads of those drives. Some people go as far as buying a standardized internal drive and switching the face plate on the drive to make it compatible. Please inquire more if you need help with any of those options.

[Ed1955]

Thank you Machina, I will give a try at locating the best price on an original OEM Dell drive. It's probably what's best for the machine anyway. Thanks again and I will contact you or post again if I need additional help.
Respectfully,
Ed

[Yoob@NBF]

If you do not travel with the unit at all then an external unit would be better because the internal ones top out at 8x and even slower for DL and RW operations. If you do travel often enough then I would say you should pick up the OEM drives from DELL because only Dell can make the drive with a perfectly matching faceplate.

[Ed1955]

If you do not travel with the unit at all then an external unit would be better because the internal ones top out at 8x and even slower for DL and RW operations. If you do travel often enough then I would say you should pick up the OEM drives from DELL because only Dell can make the drive with a perfectly matching faceplate.

In fact, I don't travel with the machine that much and even if I did, I certainly wouldn't be interested in burning DVD's when I was. Now, would you be so kind (of anyone) to suggest a brand and possibly a location for a great deal? I'll be very thankful for these suggestions!
Respectfully,
Ed

[Yoob@NBF]

www.newegg.com

LITE-ON, NEC, LG, HP, PLEXTOR are a few good brands.

SONY, SAMSUNG, All Others are sketchy drives but lots of people have good luck with them.

[Lunatic]

Other good cheap/discount sites are www.geeks.com and www.zipzoomfly.com

I use geeks.com and newegg.com the most though.

[Slippy]

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827152069

If you want a good deal on an internal drive and don't mind doing a little work then this drive is great at $69.99. I just installed one in my 8600. Had to remove the faceplates from both drives, cut the tabs off the dell faceplate as they didn't match up, file away some plastic to make it fit evenly, and use a lot of superglue to attach it, but it works great. Probably saved at least $30 over buying a dell dvdrw on ebay.