Dell DW316
Score: 73/100
Ziweo External DVD Drive
Score: 70/100Rankings
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 Ziweo External DVD Drive is a portable, bus-powered optical drive offering dual USB-C and USB 3.0 connectivity with fast 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds. Its fixed cables and limited compatibility with certain devices such as Chromebooks and Ubuntu are notable drawbacks. Ideal for Windows and macOS laptop users needing a reliable, low-noise external drive.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 8 Wbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 200 gbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 14 mmbest | 20.3 mm |
1 yearsbest | — |
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 |
Features(1) | ||
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‑R, CD‑RW, DVD‑R, DVD‑R DL, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD‑RAM |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Thickness (mm) | 14 mm | 20.3 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.
Professional reviewers consider the Ziweo drive a reliable and portable accessory, emphasizing its fast 24× CD/8× DVD speeds, 5 Gbps USB 3.0 transfer, dual USB-C/3.0 connectivity, and sturdy low-noise build, while noting the inconvenience of fixed cables and the lack of compatibility with Chromebooks, Surface Pro and Ubuntu.
Everyday users generally praise the drive for its quick and dependable disc burning, quiet operation, and ease of use on Windows and Mac laptops, but recurring complaints focus on occasional driver requirements, incompatibility with certain devices, and the fixed cable design.
“Plug and Play disc burning solution for USB ports”
“excellent accessory for anyone who needs a reliable and portable optical drive.”
