X200 & lack of external dvd drive: What's your solution?

[Synthetickiller]

Like the topic states, what do you guys use as dvd drive?

All I can think off off the top of my head is the x200 dock, external dvd drive, or sharing one over the network from a desktop or other laptop. I'll eventually need to use one so I wanted some opinions.

Thanks guys!

[Harryc]

If you are truly a mobile user and constantly on the go, you'll want an external drive that is light and portable.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67278

[Synthetickiller]

Only for when I am at home. I never install on the go.

[Harryc]

Well, if you also hook up to an external display and a keyboard at home, the correct solution is an X200 Ultrabase with an optical drive.

[csv96]

Ditto the X200 Ultrabase. It's got DisplayPort, plenty of USB ports, second battery charger, on/off button, and (optional) Blu-ray. Perfect docking station that can travel if needed.

[mulambo187]

the ultrabase is a key accessory, i have one and its great, but it was also $170, a little over priced if you ask me.

[chrisavann]

ultrabase is over priced to me, so i use an external dvd burner. i install any program over the network. A CD/DVD is rarely needed.

[brandontonio]

for $149 NewEgg had this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

I have it, works great. (using win7, reviews complain about this, but I have yet to have issues).

[ThinkRob]

TBH, I don't see it as a problem. Maybe a few years ago I would have, but not now.

I bought an UltraBase for my X61s, but I have yet to use the CD/DVD drive. Seriously. I've had that thing for over a year, and I haven't used it once. In fact -- now that I think about it-- I haven't actually used optical media of any sort in a couple years. (At least not for data or music storage; I still watch DVDs.)

[bill bolton]

what do you guys use as dvd drive?

Well, I use an Ultrabase at home plus an external slimline (12.5mm) DVD drive in a USB connected case when travelling.... there are many pre-assembled offerings on the market now a days, or you can buy the drive and case separately and put them together yourself (takes a couple of minutes).

However, I find I'm taking a DVD drive with me while travelling less and less often nowadays.... transferring disk based media to high capacity USB sticks prior to travelling meets the majority of my needs.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[nando4]

Any cheap 9.5mm pata optical drive off ebay + US$17 DIY USB storage enclosure for it.

[dawhim]

it really depends what you need the dvd drive for.

I use my other machine with dvd drive to rip out an image. the image will be transferred to my x200 via network, and then mount on it on virtual drive in my x200. it is one extra step, but it works for me.

[khtse]

I bought a USB DVD burner for about $50 about 2 years ago, I think? Something like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-External-CD-RW- ... 1659wt_898

I don't use it very often, as most softwares (and media files) can be downloaded (legally) or installed from flash drive these days. And when you are backing up files, an external hard drive is more useful.