Removable Media Drives

Plextor PX-608CU
The Plextor PX-608CU portable DVD burner is a great match for users who have a laptop without a built-in DVD burner; we just don't know who that might be.
Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)

Plextor PX-810SA DVD±RW / DVD-RAM drive - Serial ATA
The Plextor PX-810SA internal CD/DVD burner is quick for both ripping and burning. We like it.
Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 18x (DVD±R) / 10x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 12x (DVD-RAM)

LaCie d2 External Blu-ray burner (2X BD-R/E)
The LaCie d2 Blu-ray burner offers good performance speeds, but it's still prohibitively expensive. Home users should wait for Blu-ray burners to drop in price and improve in performance.
Specs: BD-RE, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 2x (BD), 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL) / 2x (BD-R) / 2x (BD-R DL), 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 2x (BD-RE) / 2x (BD-RE DL)

Sony BWU-100A Blu-ray Burner
The Sony BWU-100A Blu-ray burner is still priced out of range for most users, but if you have $700 to spare, it's a good choice for its range of media support and acceptable task speeds.
Specs: BD-RE, 32x (CD) / 8x (DVD) / 2x (BD), 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD±R DL) / 2x (BD-R), 16x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) / 2x (BD-RE)

Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3
Although it's pricey, the Sony DVDirect VRD-MC3 is a boon for anyone who has lots of old videotapes but less time or tech skills to digitize them using a computer. Even better, it doubles as an external DVD burner, so you can use it with your PC long after you've transferred all those old tapes.
Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 24x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

Western Digital Passport USB Portable Hard Drive (120GB, black)
Western Digital's Passport Portable External Hard Drive lets you take a lot of data on the road for a low price.

Western Digital Passport USB Portable Hard Drive (80GB, black)
Western Digital's Passport Portable External Hard Drive lets you take a lot of data on the road for a low price.

Western Digital Passport USB Portable Hard Drive (60GB, black)
Western Digital's Passport Portable External Hard Drive lets you take a lot of data on the road for a low price.

Pioneer DVR-110D (black)
The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.
Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)

Pioneer DVR-610 (beige)
The Pioneer DVR-110D is a swift, reliable burner for movie fans, but those looking to back up by using rewritable discs might be disappointed.
Specs: DVD±RW (±R DL), 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL), 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW)