MEVEV98938

About this product

The Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer (98938) is a compact, USB-powered optical drive designed for laptops and desktop computers without a built-in disc drive. It supports CD and DVD reading at up to 24x CD and 8x DVD speeds, with writing speeds of 24x for CDs and 8x for DVDs. Featuring M-DISC compatibility, this portable external DVD writer is ideal for backing up files, burning music and data discs, accessing archived documents and storing important digital content. Buy the Verbatim Slimline CD/DVD Writer online today for a convenient optical storage solution in South Africa.

Description

The Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer (98938) provides a practical way to use optical discs with computers that do not include a built-in CD or DVD drive. Its external design makes it suitable for home, office and mobile computing environments where access to physical media is still required.

The drive connects to a compatible computer through USB 2.0 and receives its operating power through the USB connection. This eliminates the need to carry a separate power adapter and makes the drive convenient for use with laptops and ultrabooks. Its slim profile allows it to be stored in a laptop bag or backpack when travelling between work, home and other locations.

For everyday optical storage tasks, the drive supports CD and DVD reading and writing. It offers CD reading and writing speeds of up to 24x and DVD reading and writing speeds of up to 8x. Supported media include CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, double-layer DVD media and miniDVD. Compatibility with individual disc formats depends on the media type and the relevant read or write function.

M-DISC support makes this drive suitable for users who want to create archival copies of important documents, photographs and other digital files on compatible M-DISC media. Archival performance depends on the disc used, storage conditions and the data recording process.

The Verbatim 98938 is a useful accessory for students, professionals, home users and businesses that need to access older disc collections, install software from optical media or maintain physical backups. DVD movie playback software may need to be installed separately, depending on the operating system and playback requirements.

Features

The Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer combines portable design with practical optical storage functions for compatible computers.

• External CD/DVD writer: Adds optical disc reading and writing capabilities to compatible computers without an internal optical drive.
• 24x CD read and write speed: Supports CD reading and recording at speeds of up to 24x for compatible media.
• 8x DVD read and write speed: Supports DVD reading and recording at speeds of up to 8x for compatible media.
• USB 2.0 connectivity: Connects to a compatible computer through a USB interface.
• USB-powered operation: Draws power from the connected computer without requiring a separate AC power adapter.
• Slim and portable design: Easy to carry with a laptop or store in a computer bag.
• Broad disc compatibility: Supports common CD and DVD formats, including recordable and rewritable media.
• M-DISC compatible: Supports compatible M-DISC DVD media for archival storage applications.
• Data backup: Allows users to write documents, photographs and other files to compatible recordable discs.
• Music and media storage: Suitable for creating compatible music CDs and storing digital content on optical discs.
• Nero Burn & Archive software: Includes disc burning and archiving software for supported Windows systems.
• Flexible computer use: Suitable for compatible notebook and desktop computers with an appropriate USB connection.

Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer
Though CDs and DVDs are still among the most commonly used media types, more and more computer manufacturers are choosing to leave optical drives out of their new models. If you still use these media types, or even newer optical media types such as Blu-ray discs or M-Discs, you may find yourself in the position of needing to buy a separate optical drive, and there are several things to consider.

Internal vs. External
Optical drives can either be internal or external, and it's an important choice when deciding which optical drive to buy. Internal drives are actually placed inside your computer, connected via an IDE or SATA port. Internal drives are usually more affordable and have higher read/write speeds. However, installation can be difficult and for some laptops, impossible, given the ultra-slim profile of some newer models. External drives, on the other hand, exist outside of your computer and connect to your computer via a USB or FireWire port. They can either pull power from your computer itself or from a separate power outlet. Typically, they are more compact, more portable, and can fit easily into a laptop bag. However, due to external connectivity, they may have slightly lower read/write speeds compared to internal drives.

Formats
Another important factor in deciding which drive to buy is the format you want to work in. Today most drives work with multiple formats, but it is still important to make sure the drive you're buying is compatible with the media types you want to use. Some common formats most drives now support are DVD R, DVD-R, DVD RW, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM. Some less common formats include DVD-RAM, DVD R/DVD-R Dual Layer and miniDVD. If you'd like to work with Blu-ray discs, make sure you get a drive that is Blu-ray compatible. Generally, if you're unsure what media type you'll be working with, choosing a drive that works with multiple media types may be your best option.

System Compatibility
With the prevalence of drives, finding one that is compatible with your operating system is less of a challenge than it has been. However, it is still important to make sure they are compatible, both with the hardware and software. If you choose to get an external drive, it will connect to your computer one of two ways: a USB port or FireWire port. While most computers will have at least one USB port, some newer models do not come with a FireWire port. You'll also want to make sure you have enough USB ports to support your drive. Software-wise, some drives come with additional software, such as writing software; make sure it is compatible with your operating system as well.

Tray vs. Slot Loading
How a drive actually loads the disc may be another factor to consider. Typically there are two different loading styles: tray and slot. Tray loading is your typical DVD player style; you push a button, the tray ejects, you place the disc into the tray, and the tray goes back in. Drives with tray loading have the advantage of accommodating irregular sized discs (such as miniDVD), and feature a manual eject button, in case the disc fails. Slot loading is the newer style of disc loading; there is a slot on the drive in which you insert the disc without a tray - similar to your car CD player. Slot loading drives have fewer moving parts, and allow for a slim drive form factor, however, they may not recognize irregular shaped discs, so formats like miniDVD may not be supported.

M DISC Compatibility
So, what exactly is M DISC Unlike traditional optical discs, which utilize dyes that can break down over time, data stored on an M DISC is engraved on a patented inorganic write layer - it will not fade or deteriorate. This unique engraving process renders these archival grade discs practically impervious to environmental exposure, including light, temperature and humidity. ISO/IEC 16963 standard longevity tests have proven the durability of M DISC technology, and it withstood rigorous testing by the US Department of Defense. Based on ISO/IEC 16963 testing, M DISC media has a projected lifetime of several hundred years. Designed for widely distributed large data such as scientific images, video, and other commercial application object data, Verbatim M DISC media has storage capacities up to 100GB - allowing you to use fewer discs while archiving your files. M DISC BD-R media is compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware from leading manufacturers - no special drives required for recording or playback. However, if you want to use M DISC DVD for archiving, you do need to select a drive that is M DISC compatible.

What's in the Box

• Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer (98938)
• USB connection cable
• USB-A to USB-C adapter
• User manual on CD
• Nero Burn & Archive software
• Verbatim 3-2-1 Eternity Backup software
• Quick installation guide

Software availability and compatibility depend on the operating system. Included software is intended for supported Windows systems.

Specifications

• Brand: Verbatim
• Model: 98938
• Product code: MEVEV98938
• Product type: External slimline CD/DVD writer
• Drive type: External optical drive
• Optical media type: CD and DVD
• CD reading speed: Up to 24x
• CD writing speed: Up to 24x
• CD rewriting speed: Up to 24x for compatible media
• DVD reading speed: Up to 8x
• DVD writing speed: Up to 8x
• DVD rewriting speed: Up to 8x for compatible media
• Interface: USB 2.0
• Power source: USB bus-powered
• Supported CD formats: CD-R, CD-RW
• Supported DVD formats: DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, miniDVD
• Archival media support: M-DISC DVD-R
• Software: Nero Burn & Archive and Verbatim 3-2-1 Eternity Backup software
• Operating system compatibility: Compatible Windows and macOS versions, subject to system and software requirements
• Colour: Black
• Dimensions: 13.5 x 14.2 x 1.6 cm
• Weight: Approximately 0.35 kg

FAQ

What is the Verbatim External Slimline CD/DVD Writer used for?

It is used to read, write and rewrite compatible CDs and DVDs on computers that do not have a built-in optical drive. Common applications include file backup, data transfer, music disc creation and accessing archived files.

What are the reading and writing speeds of the Verbatim 98938?

The drive supports CD reading and writing speeds of up to 24x and DVD reading and writing speeds of up to 8x. Actual performance depends on the disc format, media quality and computer configuration.

Does the Verbatim 98938 need an external power adapter?

No separate AC power adapter is required for normal operation. The drive draws power through its USB connection to a compatible computer.

Can the Verbatim 98938 burn CDs and DVDs?

Yes. It can write compatible recordable CDs and DVDs, as well as rewrite supported rewritable media. The supported recording speed depends on the disc format and media used.

Does the Verbatim 98938 support M-DISC?

Yes. The drive supports compatible M-DISC DVD media, making it suitable for creating archival copies of important files when used with compatible discs and recording software.

Can this external DVD writer connect to a laptop without a built-in disc drive?

Yes. It is designed for use with compatible laptops, ultrabooks and desktop computers through a USB connection. The computer must support the drive's interface and operating system requirements.

Can the Verbatim 98938 play DVD movies?

The drive can read compatible DVD movie discs, but DVD playback software may be required and is not necessarily included. Playback also depends on operating system support and the software used.

Is the Verbatim 98938 compatible with Windows and macOS?

The drive is listed as compatible with supported Windows and macOS versions. Software bundled with the drive, including Nero Burn & Archive, is intended for supported Windows systems. Check compatibility with your specific operating system before use.

What discs can the Verbatim 98938 read and write?

Supported formats include CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, compatible double-layer DVDs, DVD-ROM, miniDVD and M-DISC DVD-R. Read and write capabilities vary by disc format.