Dell DW316
Score: 73/100
Rioddas External DVD Drive
Score: 69/100Rankings
The Dell DW316 is a lightweight, tray-loading external DVD drive with USB 2.0 plug-and-play and M-DISC archival support. It offers solid build quality and a high MTBF, but its USB 2.0 interface and modest buffer limit burn speeds. Suited for Dell laptop owners who need reliable CD/DVD access with M-DISC capability.
The Rioddas external CD/DVD drive provides USB-3.0 connectivity, 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds, and a compact lightweight design with an embedded cable and Type-C adapter. It omits M-DISC support, offers no warranty, and the cable can be tight, which may affect reliability. It targets budget-conscious laptop owners and Linux enthusiasts needing basic optical functionality.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
— | 2 MBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 8 Wbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 200 g | 199 gbest |
| ↓ lower better | 14 mmbest | 25.4 mm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||
Interface | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
USB Standard | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
Performance(1) | ||
Buffer Size (MB) | 0.75-2 MB | 2 MB |
Features(2) | ||
Supported Media | CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM (SL/DL), DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, DVD-RAM, M-DISC (DVD+R SL), CD Extra, CD-DA, CD-I, CD-ROM XA, Photo CD, Video CD, DVD-V | CD-ROM, CD-R/RW, CD+R/RW, DVD-ROM, DVD±R/RW, DVD-RAM, dual-layer DVD±R DL |
M‑DISC Support | true | false |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 200 g | 199 g |
Thickness (mm) | 14 mm | 25.4 mm |
General(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows 7/8/8.1/10 | Windows, Linux, macOS |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers and Dell's own marketing material present the DW316 as a dependable, plug-and-play external drive that meets the baseline performance expectations for CD/DVD media. They commend its Dell-specific compatibility, inclusion of M-DISC support, and the bundled CyberLink software, while noting the lack of a USB 3.0 interface and the modest buffer size as drawbacks compared with competing models.
Everyday users generally praise the drive's portability, ease of setup and ability to handle legacy media on modern laptops. Positive comments focus on the slim form factor and M-DISC capability, whereas recurring criticisms revolve around slower USB 2.0 speeds and the limited buffer affecting burn times.
No professional reviews from major tech sites were found. A single non‑professional YouTube reviewer confirmed the device is detected as a USB 3.0 drive on Ubuntu, operates the tray correctly, and successfully burns and plays DVDs, recommending it for its price and basic functionality.
Everyday users praise the drive's easy Linux compatibility, straightforward plug-and-play setup, and reliable basic DVD playback and burning. The most common complaint is a tight USB cable fit, and a few users note the lack of Blu-ray support as a limitation.
“Plug and Play disc burning solution for USB ports”
“It works good!”
“very cool, burns/plays DVDs”
