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Are there any cheap laptops that allow you to play dvds?

13 replies

lalalonglegs · 26/04/2013 21:14

My daughter murdered my laptop yesterday (possibly a mercy killing- it was five ears old) and now I've got to buy a new one. I know I don't want anything fancy but I would really like a DVD drive as we used to use that a lot on our old laptop when we went away. It doesn't seem to be a common feature now - and, yes, I know I should probably stream but I don't want to, I've got loads of DVDs and I want to use them.

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nannynick · 26/04/2013 21:56

I have brought laptops from Tesco which have had DvD drives. Admittedly, last one was probably close to 2 years ago but they certainly did do them.

By cheap, what do you mean? Under £200, under £300, under £400?

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PedroYoniLikesCrisps · 26/04/2013 22:00

Tablets don't have DVD drives and neither do netbooks (10" screen laptops) because they are too small. But almost every regular laptop will have a DVD drive.

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mirry2 · 26/04/2013 22:01

can't you buy and external; dvd drive? just plug it into the laptop.

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mirry2 · 26/04/2013 22:02

Sorry for the typos in my previous post -I didn't check before posting.

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lalalonglegs · 26/04/2013 22:05

Yippee - they do exist. Everyone keeps saying I should get a Chromebook but they don't seem to have disc drives and a quick skim through amazon left me wondering if they exist. Tbh, mirry, I don't really get the point of an external DVD player - how are they better than integral ones?

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mirry2 · 26/04/2013 22:11

lal they aren't better but are useful if your laptop/netbook doesn't have an internal drive

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MTSgroupie · 27/04/2013 10:42

External drives aren't 'better'. They are just more convenient. Most people don't need a DVD drive. Others don't need one on a regular basis so don't want their laptop weighed down with an integral one.

I have a 32gb memory stick for moving data around. A 4.7gb DVD is a poor alternative.

I convert my DVDs into AVI files and store them on the harddrive. So I don't need to take my DVDs with me.

Most people download software via the Internet as opposed to buying software on DVDs.

Laptops these days come with 500gb hard drives. That plus memory sticks means that you don't need to carry around your data on DVDs.

It's only a matter of time before the DVD drive goes the way of the floppy drive.

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mirry2 · 27/04/2013 12:14

MTS can you convert DVD films to AVI files?

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lalalonglegs · 27/04/2013 12:22

I have no idea how to put dvds onto memory sticks Blush

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MTSgroupie · 27/04/2013 12:31

mirry2 - you need a 'DVD ripper' to convert dvds into a video file that can be played on a PC. I use DVD Catalyst. It cost about a tenner (I think). You can get free ones but I liked this and it was cheap.

If you only want to watch it on a laptop or monitor then you don't need DVD quality so you can shrink a movie down to 1gb or less.

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mirry2 · 27/04/2013 16:47

Thanks MTSgroupie.

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MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 28/04/2013 00:12

I just bought a new lap top for DD1 .. a Packard Bell.. has DVD drive. As did the majority I looked at in a well known store. All sub £350 (as she tends to kill them). There are still plenty about.

Personally I like having a DVD drive.. yes i know we can use many other forms of storage/playing but it is nice and simple to shove a dvd in.

I use mine as a DVD player with an HDMI cable for the Tv... I'd hate not to have that option as I have a LOT of dvds!

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