If you rely on an ODD-less Ultrabook or other thin and light portable or you have recently built a PC and omitted an ODD drive, there are still times when such a reader or burner might be useful. Samsung has these use cases in mind with its newly announced ultra-slim portable DVD writers. The SE-218GN and SE-208GB optical disc drives (ODDs) are both said to offer "a sleeker design and mobile size for Ultrabook users on-the-go".
Samsung SE-218GN
According to Samsung's product pages, as linked to above, the two drives offer identical specs and are the same size. However, from looking through the product picture galleries, I notice that the SE-208GB is available in many more colour options and has a curvier shape.
Samsung DVD-Writer SLIM External SE-218GN and SE-208GB Media specs:
|
Media Type |
Write |
Read |
|
DVD+R |
8X |
8X |
|
DVD+RW |
8X |
8X |
|
DVD+R DL (Double Layer) |
6X |
8X |
|
DVD-R DL (Double Layer) |
6X |
8X |
|
DVD-R |
8X |
8X |
|
DVD-RW |
6X |
8X |
|
DVD-ROM SL (Single Layer) |
8X |
|
|
DVD-ROM DL (Double Layer) |
8X |
|
|
CD-ROM |
24X |
|
|
CD-R |
24X |
24X |
|
CD-RW |
24X |
24X |
|
DVD-RAM |
5X |
5X |
Samsung DVD-Writer SLIM External SE-218GN and SE-208GB hardware specs:
|
Average Access Time |
CD-ROM : 210ms / DVD-ROM : 220ms |
|
Interface |
USB 2.0 |
|
Buffer Memory |
1 MB |
|
Drive Installing Method |
Horizontal |
|
Size (W * H * D) |
148 mm X 14.4 mm X 143 mm |
|
Supported Disc Format |
DVD: - Media Format : DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD-RAM - Data Format : DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD Data(ISO/UDF/FAT) CD: - Media Format : CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW - Data Format : CD Data(ISO/UDF/FAT), CD-DA, CD+E(G), CD-MIDI, CD- TEXT, CD-ROM XA, Mixed Mode CD, CD-I, CD-I Bridge (Photo-CD, Video-CD), Multisession CD (Photo-CD, CD-EXTRA, Portfolio) |
|
Buffer underrun protect |
Support |
|
Supported OS |
Windows XP, Windows VISTA, Windows 7, Windows 8 |
|
Lead Free |
Compliant |
|
LightScribe |
Support |
Samsung has added some nice design touches to these drives. For instance, rather than placing an eject button upon the limited space where the ODD tray ejects from the front it has put the button on top of the case where pressing down is most convenient and not likely to push the drive around your desk or work surface area.
Smart Power Technology helps these drives perform while minimising the drain upon your notebook battery. The drives don't require an external or additional USB connection to supply power – just the single USB cable is all that is required. Samsung also says that both the drives can act as a portable HDD for tablets with USB connections.
Samsung SE-208GB
For archival purposes Samsung suggests the use of its Smart Archive Technology which optimises disc writing for storage for an extended time. This tech is compatible with "M-discs, archival discs (ISO10995 standard) as well as qualified normal discs," we are told.
Samsung doesn't indicate any availability or pricing info. However I found a similar spec and model number drive, the SE-218CN, on Amazon for £24.99.
