# Internal or External DVD Burner?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-or-external-dvd-burner/139649>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 30, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-or-external-dvd-burner/139649 "2002-11-30T18:00:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-or-external-dvd-burner/139649/1 "2002-11-30T18:00:40Z")

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On my Sony Vaio, there are no more CD-ROM/DVD-ROM slots available on the front.

How much of a pain is it to remove my current DVD drive and replace it with a DVD-R drive?

Also, is it better to get an internal DVD burner or an external burner? Many thanks.

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**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-or-external-dvd-burner/139649/2 "2002-11-30T20:58:01Z")

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_bump_

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internal-or-external-dvd-burner/139649/3 "2002-11-30T22:03:46Z")

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Should be fairly easy to replace your current drive. There should two cables (one power and one controller) and usually four screws that hold the drive in place. Internal is probably better from a speed point of view, IIRC. The whole procedure should take 15-20 minutes.