Roundup: Three External Burners : LG GSA-E50L
3. LG GSA-E50L
Burning
For the burning tests, we always used the same free software - CDBurnerXP Pro.
When ripping an ISO image of our test DVD, we logged about the same data transfer rates as with the Samsung burner. But burning the resulting 3 GB ISO image was a different story. The LG GSA-E50L was in last place with a time of a little over 13 minutes, compared to 9 for the Buffalo Technology unit.
The LG GSA-E50L is meant mainly as an occasional optical drive for netbook-type computers. As such, it should be as small as possible, and most of all it should be light. Unfortunately that's not the case. It's larger than its competitors, and it weighs in at 13.8 ounces, compared to 11.3 ounces for the Buffalo Technology burner.
The power solution is very simple - power is handled entirely by the computer. If the current provided by the USB port isn't enough, LG has provided an additional USB cable to plug into the unit's power connector. But nowadays, most computers have USB ports that supply enough power for this type of device. That's why we prefer LG's solution over a "Y" USB cable whose second connector serves no purpose.
Transfer rates and power consumption
| Buffalo Tech. DVSM-PN58U2 LG GSA-E50L Samsung SE-S084B |  |
This external burner was one of the fastest at ripping an image of our test DVD, but the Samsung SE-S084B had a slight edge.
| Buffalo Tech. DVSM-PN58U2 LG GSA-E50L Samsung SE-S084B |  |
Particularly noisy
| Buffalo Tech. DVSM-PN58U2 LG GSA-E50L Samsung SE-S084B |  |
| LG GSA-E50L | |
|---|---|
| Cons | |
| |
The LG GSA-E50L had good read rates, but its burn times put it in last place. But its biggest fault is that it was particularly noisy compared to its competitors.
quick question..
these plug and play types can be used to install an OS, right?
Confused? The article says the Buffalo was the fastest, but it also says the Samsung was fastest, so gave the nod to the Samsung because it was also quiet and power efficient. The evidence seems to indicate the Buffalo was actually the fastest, so I guess it depends on what the individual user is looking for, speed or quiet.
Seems like either too much or too little caffeine here.
quick question..these plug and play types can be used to install an OS, right?
That depends on your system. If your BIOS support "booting from USB," then yes, you can install your OS from these drives. Dont worry. Just about any computer newer than 2005 will have this ability.
I have the Samsung SE-S084B. It boots my Asus 1000He Eee-PC no problem at all. It works good with 1 usb cable.
"In other words, these roundups are a work in progress."
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In other words, Digital Verses likes to kiss TG rear, so TG publish their stuff even if it's half-baked.