For a DVD writer that can handle virtually all formats on the market, features LightScribe labeling technology and is a lightweight and portable external drive, look no further than the Samsung SE-S184M.

The SE-S184M is a member of the new crop of 18X DVD burners. While the leap from 16X to 18X isn't a huge one, it does shave precious seconds off DVD burns, letting you create a full DVD in around 6 minutes. Perhaps more important to some users, the SE-S184M supports both forms of Dual Layer (DL) media at 8X, letting you burn a full 8.5GB DL disc in about 20 minutes.

This DVD writer also supports DVD-RAM at the new 12X speed. This is a big jump from the previous 5X write speed, and DVD-RAM are great for constant backups as they can be reliably rewritten up to 100,000 times, compared to around 1,000 for other forms of rewriteable media.

As previously mentioned, the SE-S184M features integrated LightScribe technology. This allows you to create your own silkscreen-quality labels on your burned CD and DVD by simply flipping them over in the drive. The media costs more than standard discs and the labels are monochromatic, but they look quite professional and prove very handy if you perform a lot of disc labeling.

As an external DVD writer, the SE-S184M is easy to set up as well as port from PC to PC. Installation involves loading the software and then simply plugging the DVD writer into an available USB 2.0 port. Once you have the software on multiple systems, you can quickly move the DVD writer from one to another, providing high-speed burns throughout a small office, for example.

The front bezel of the SE-S184M lacks a headphone jack or volume control, and the LED indicator flashes green whether you're reading or writing. On the other hand, the black drive with silver accents is well designed in terms of aesthetics. Samsung includes a vertical stand so the SE-S184M takes up less space on top of your desk. The software bundle features a suite of Nero applications, handling everything from burns to backups to video editing.

The Samsung SE-S184M external DVD writer retails for $120, but most vendors sell it for under $100, making it a decently priced all-around optical drive.


Pros:  Great speeds, easy to install and use, includes LightScribe
Cons:  Pricier than internal models

Warranty
1 year