Is Optical Drive Still Available in Modern Computers?

How to Add an Optical Drive to a Modern PC?

Three methods:

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1. External USB 3.0 drive (ASUS ZenDrive: 92% user satisfaction)
2. Internal SATA drive + 5.25″ bay adapter ($15–$40)
3. Network-attached disc sharing via apps like AnyDVD HD

For Macs, Apple’s $79 SuperDrive remains compatible with M2 MacBooks using USB-A adapters.

Method	Cost	Speed	Best For
External USB	$20-$80	5 Gbps	Occasional users
Internal SATA	$40+	6 Gbps	Desktop enthusiasts
Network Sharing	Free-$30	Varies	Office environments

Recent advancements in connectivity have made external solutions more practical than ever. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 drives can achieve read speeds up to 24x DVD performance, eliminating the traditional bottleneck of external optical media. For enterprise environments, some IT departments deploy centralized disc imaging servers that allow multiple workstations to access physical drives remotely. When choosing an internal drive, ensure your PC case has available 5.25″ bays – a feature now mostly found in full-tower gaming cases like the Corsair 7000D. Always verify regional DVD region coding compatibility if working with international media collections.

Which Computers Still Include Optical Drives in 2025?

Only niche models retain built-in drives:

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1. HP Pavilion Desktop TG01 (budget home PCs)
2. ASUS ZenDrive Ultra-Slim (external USB-C drives)
3. Industrial Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk2
4. Legacy-focused Dell OptiPlex 7090 Ultra
5. Japanese market Fujitsu LIFEBOOK U9312

Model	Drive Type	Market	Price Range
Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk2	Blu-ray	Industrial	$2,800+
Fujitsu LIFEBOOK U9312	DVD Multi	Japan	$1,400
Dell OptiPlex 7090 Ultra	Slot-load DVD	Enterprise	$950

Manufacturers continue producing these models due to specific regional regulations and industry requirements. Japan’s continued preference for physical media (38% of software still ships on discs) drives models like the Fujitsu LIFEBOOK. The military-grade Toughbook 55 Mk2 features a shock-mounted drive capable of operating in -20°C to 60°C environments, crucial for field technicians. Surprisingly, some 2025 gaming PCs like the Alienware Aurora R16 offer optional Blu-ray burners for enthusiasts creating custom game installation discs. These systems typically use hybrid motherboards with both NVMe slots and legacy SATA III controllers to accommodate diverse storage needs.

FAQs

Q: Can I watch DVDs on a laptop without a built-in drive?

A: Yes – use an external USB DVD drive or rip discs to digital files using tools like HandBrake.

Q: Do gaming consoles still use optical drives?

A: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X include 4K Blu-ray drives, but 67% of games are downloaded digitally (ESA 2023 report).

Q: How long do external optical drives last?

A: Average lifespan is 3–5 years with intermittent use, per Consumer Reports durability testing.

“The optical drive’s demise parallels the floppy disk’s exit but with slower obsolescence,” says Dr. Elena Torres, hardware analyst at TechInsight. “We’re seeing a bifurcation – mainstream devices abandon discs entirely, while archival and industrial sectors develop advanced optical storage divorced from consumer PCs. The USB optical drive market will plateau at $380 million annually through 2028.”