Remember the satisfying *click* of sliding a CD or DVD into your computer? In today’s world of streaming and cloud storage, that sound feels like a relic from the past. Many new laptops skip the built-in disc drive entirely. This leaves people who still rely on physical media—for software, movies, or old photo backups—in a tough spot. Finding a modern laptop that still accepts discs can feel like searching for a hidden treasure map in a digital jungle.
If you need that optical drive for work, school, or just your entertainment collection, you face a real challenge. Do you sacrifice modern speed for a built-in drive, or buy an external drive that adds clutter? This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly where to find the best laptops that still support CDs and DVDs.
Keep reading to discover the top models available now and learn the simple tricks to ensure your next laptop meets all your disc-reading needs without slowing you down. Let’s dive in and find the perfect machine for you!
Top Laptop With Disc Drive Recommendations
No. 1
HP 17.3" Laptop Computer, Intel 13th 8-Cores i3-N305 Processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB PCI-E SSD, Windows 11 Pro, Free Lifetime MS Office • Copilot AI, 10-Key Number Pad, External DVD Drive, Natural Silver
- 【Windows 11 Pro】Access powerful professional features like Hyper-V virtualization, Group Policy Management, and WSL, ensuring compatibility with a vast range of business and development applications.
- 【Life-Time Microsoft Office with Copilot】Make the most out of your office : Bring your ideas to life. Your creativity now gets a boost with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point). Get AI-powered assistance from Microsoft Copilot along with the latest Windows 11 Pro features for smarter productivity.
- 【Intel Core i3-N305】8-core processor with up to 3.8GHz boost clock delivers smooth performance for school, business, and everyday computing.
- 【Connectivity Options】Features HDMI, USB-C, 2× USB-A, plus Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth for fast wireless connections and flexible device compatibility. (External DVD drive)
- 【Enhanced Privacy & Video Calls】HP True Vision HD camera with physical camera shutter and built-in microphone ensures clear video conferencing with added privacy.
No. 2
Rioddas External CD/DVD Drive for Laptop, USB 3.0 CD DVD Player Portable +/-RW Burner CD ROM Reader Writer Disk Duplicator Compatible with Laptop Desktop PC Windows Apple Mac Pro MacBook Linux
- Plug & Play. Easy to use, powered by USB port. No external driver or power adapter needed. Simply plug it into your USB port for automatic detection. For optimal performance on desktop computers, connect directly to a high-power USB port on the back of the motherboard. This hassle-free solution requires no technical setup, and if the drive isn't immediately recognized, trying a different USB port typically resolves most connection issues
- High Speed & Reliable Performance. Compatible with USB 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), this drive delivers fast data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. Engineered with strong fault tolerance, it minimizes freezing, skipping, and errors during disc playback or burning. The stable performance ensures smooth, reliable operation and reduces the risk of defective performance
- Intelligent Tech & Stable Connection. Features a physical eject button that safely releases discs even when your computer fails to recognize the drive—eliminating the common frustration of stuck media. Enhanced with copper mesh technology, this external component ensures consistently stable data transmission during all your reading and writing tasks
- Trendy & Practical Design. Features a brushed texture shell for modern visual and tactile appeal. The innovative embedded cable design keeps your USB cable securely stored and always accessible, eliminating worries about misplacement. This compact, all-in-one solution is perfectly suited for easy transport and organized storage
- Wide Compatibility. This external USB CD/DVD drive works with Windows 11/10/8.1/7/Vista/XP, Linux, and macOS 10.16+ (MacBook Pro/Air, iMac, Mac mini). Compatible with most laptops/desktops (HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Samsung). For optimal performance on desktops, connect to rear USB ports. Supported formats include CD-ROM/R/RW, DVD-ROM/R±RW/R±DL, and VCD. IMPORTANT: Not compatible with ChromeOS, smartphones, tablets, TVs, projectors, vehicles, or Blu-ray/4K discs. Please verify your device type before purchasing
No. 3
HP 17.3" Business Laptop Computer - with Office Lifetime License & External CD/DVD Drive, 17.3 inch FHD Display, Win 11 Pro, AMD 6-core Ryzen 5 7430U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Webcam, Wi-Fi 6
- 【Powerful AMD Ryzen 5 Processor】Equipped with the AMD Ryzen 5 7430U (6 cores, 12 threads, up to 4.3GHz Turbo Boost) and AMD Radeon Graphics, delivering smooth visuals for business presentations, graphic design, and multimedia streaming
- 【Pre-Installed Microsoft Office Pro & Windows 11 Pro】Comes with a lifetime Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro, providing enhanced productivity, security, and efficiency, perfect for professionals and students
- 【17.3 inch FHD IPS Anti-Glare Display】The Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display ensures vibrant, crisp visuals, while the anti-glare coating reduces reflections. Stay connected with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and essential ports, including USB Type-A & C, HDMI, and a headphone/microphone combo
- 【Fully Loaded Accessories for Maximum Convenience】This laptop comes with Microsoft Office Pro, External Optical CD/DVD Drive, a wireless mouse, offering extra value and an enhanced user experience
- 【Versatile Performance for Every Need】Whether you're a mobile professional, a content creator, or a student, the HP laptop is versatile enough to adapt to your specific needs. Its powerful features and stunning display make it an excellent choice for a wide range of tasks, ensuring you're prepared for any challenge or scenario
No. 4
HP 17.3" FHD Laptop for Business and Students - with External CD/DVD Drive & Office Lifetime License, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U (6-core), 250 Nits IPS Display, Webcam, Wifi6, Win 11 Pro (16GB RAM | 512GB SSD)
- High Performance: The HP Business Laptop is equipped with the AMD Ryzen 5 7430U processor, featuring 6 cores designed to deliver efficient multitasking and strong performance. With a base clock speed of 2.3 GHz and the ability to turbo boost up to 4.3 GHz, the Ryzen 5 7430U ensures quick response times and smooth operation, making it well-suited for both gaming and everyday computing tasks
- Immersive Display: The HP Business Laptop boasts a 17.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) screen that delivers vibrant, sharp visuals. The high-definition display ensures that multimedia content and games appear crisp and detailed, offering an immersive experience. Additionally, the anti-glare coating reduces reflections, improving usability in various lighting conditions
- Advanced Connectivity: Protect your privacy with the built-in HD 720p webcam featuring a Privacy Shutter, enabling secure video calls and meetings without compromising personal space. Stay seamlessly connected with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, which ensure a fast, reliable connection for all your online tasks and communications.
- Windows 11 Pro: Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, this HP Business Laptop provides a modern, user-friendly interface along with enhanced security features. Windows 11 Pro offers advanced tools such as BitLocker encryption and productivity enhancements, making it a versatile choice for both professional and personal use
- Versatile Usage Scenarios: Whether you're a mobile professional, a content creator, or a student, the HP laptop is versatile enough to adapt to your specific needs. Its powerful features and stunning display make it an excellent choice for a wide range of tasks, ensuring you're prepared for any challenge or scenario
No. 5
Amicool External DVD Drive USB 3.0 USB C CD Burner CD/DVD +/-RW Optical Drive, Slim Portable DVD CD ROM Rewriter Writer Duplicator for Laptop Desktop PC Windows 11/10/8/7 MacBook Mac Linux OS Apple
- 【PLUG & PLAY – EASY CONNECTION】 Simply connect the Amicool External DVD Drive to your computer’s USB or Type-C port, and it will usually be detected right away without the need for extra drivers. For stable operation and sufficient power, we recommend connecting it directly to a USB port on your computer (for desktops, use a rear motherboard port) and avoiding USB hubs or extension cables. This user-friendly design ensures quick setup for both beginners and professionals.
- 【FAST & STABLE DATA TRANSMISSION】 Featuring dual interfaces (USB 3.0 and Type-C), this optical drive supports data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. To ensure a reliable connection, please connect it directly to your computer. The drive supports multiple disc formats such as DVD+R, DVD-R, CD-R, and CD-RW. Please note: It does NOT support DVD-RAM, Blu-ray (BD) discs, or certain proprietary formats. Maximum DVD read speed is 8x, and maximum CD read/write speed is 24x.
- 【UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY】 Compatible with Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7, Linux, and macOS (Note: Some versions may require additional system settings for full functionality). Works with most computers from brands like Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, and Samsung. 👉 Important: Designed specifically for computers. It is NOT compatible with TVs, tablets, game consoles (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox), car stereos, or standalone Blu-ray players.
- 【SLIM & PORTABLE DESIGN – BUILT-IN CABLE, READY TO GO】With an integrated cable design, slim body, and stylish matte finish, this lightweight CD/DVD drive is both durable and portable. Easily slip it into your laptop bag or backpack and use it anytime, anywhere—perfect for business, travel, or home use
- 【MULTIFUNCTIONAL & RELIABLE OPERATION】 Equipped with intelligent error correction and anti-shock technology, this drive supports reading, writing, and burning discs. If the drive is not recognized or a disc cannot be read, try restarting your computer or testing with a different, standard CD-R or DVD-R disc. The pop-up button and built-in cable design offer convenience and portability. For desktop PCs, connecting to a rear USB port is recommended for optimal power and performance.
No. 6
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
- Effortlessly chic. Always efficient. Finish your to-do list in no time with the Dell 15, built for everyday computing with Intel Core 3 processor.
- Designed for easy learning: Energy-efficient batteries and Express Charge support extend your focus and productivity.
- Stay connected to what you love: Spend more screen time on the things you enjoy with Dell ComfortView software that helps reduce harmful blue light emissions to keep your eyes comfortable over extended viewing times.
- Type with ease: Write and calculate quickly with roomy keypads, separate numeric keypad and calculator hotkey.
- Ergonomic support: Keep your wrists comfortable with lifted hinges that provide an ergonomic typing angle.
No. 7
HP Student Business Laptop Computer - Free CD/DVD Drive • 16GB Memory • 128GB eMMC • Intel 4-Core Processor • 14" Anti-Glare HD Display • Intel UHD Graphics • HD Display • Win11 Pro(Black)
- 【Processor】 The hp laptop is Powered by an Intel Celeron processor, 4 Core performance delivers seamless multi-monitor setups. Whether you're working on documents, streaming videos, or browsing the web, it offers a responsive and seamless experience. Ideal for students and business on the go, you can easily power through a full day of work and play
- 【Upgraded RAM & Storage】With up to 16 GB DDR4 RAM, enjoy smooth multitasking and seamless performance for everyday tasks. Store your files easily with up to 128GB UFS storage, provides enough space to save more data
- 【Ultra-Portable 】Lightweight at just 3.24 pounds and 0.71 inches thin, this sleek laptop is designed for effortless mobility. Its slim profile and lightweight build make it easy to carry in a backpack or briefcase, catering to students and professionals who require a reliable device for use in various locations, from classrooms to coffee shops.
- 【HD Display】The laptop has 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) display, BrightView. With micro-edge design, delivering vibrant visuals and reduced eye strain. And the built-in HP True Vision 720p HD webcam enables easy video calls, ensures crisp video and clear audio during online meetings or video calls
- 【Software & Operating System】Experience enhanced productivity and security features with Windows 11 Pro.The laptop is ideal for users seeking a straightforward and secure computing environment for tasks like online learning, business communications, and everyday productivity.
No. 8
HP Rose Gold Ultrabook Laptop with Microsoft Office 365, Intel 2-Core CPU, 1.1TB Storage (1TB OneDrive and 64GB SSD), 8GB RAM, Windows 11, No Mouse
- 【Exceptional Storage Space】Equipped with DDR4 RAM and eMMC Solid State Drive, runs smoothly, responds quickly, handles multi-application and multimedia workflows efficiently and quickly.
- 【Processor】Intel Celeron N4500(2 Cores, 2 Threads, Max Boost Clock Up to 2.80Ghz, 4MB Cache). Intel UHD Graphics 600. This 14-inch laptop is also equipped with Windows 11 S, which makes your work or study easy and convenient.
- 【Tech Specs】1 x USB-C 3.0. 2 x USB-A 3.0. 1 x HDMI. 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack. 1 x SD Card Reader. Wi-Fi. Windows 11 S, 1-Year Microsoft Office 365, Bluetooth. Up to 11 hours and 30 minutes battery life. HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support. HD Audio with stereo speakers.
- 【Designed for the Office】With Windows 11, Intel UHD Graphics 600, Bluetooth. Up to 11 hours and 30 minutes battery life. HP Imagepad with multi-touch gesture support. HD Audio with stereo speakers, it ensures a stylish and innovative look, excellent portability, and is suitable for daily work and play. It is a great choice for businesses, offices, or students.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding Your Perfect Laptop with a Built-in Disc Drive
Do you still love physical media? Maybe you have a huge collection of DVDs, software discs, or music CDs. If so, you need a laptop with a built-in disc drive. These laptops are becoming rarer, but they still exist! This guide helps you choose the best one for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a laptop with an optical drive, certain features matter more than others. Focus on these elements:
- The Disc Drive Type: Most modern drives are DVD writers (DVD±RW). This lets you read DVDs and CDs and write (burn) data onto blank discs. Blu-ray drives are rare and cost more. Check if the drive supports both reading and writing.
- Processor Speed: You still need a fast computer! Look for recent Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors or better. This ensures smooth performance when running modern software, even if you are using an older disc.
- RAM (Memory): Eight Gigabytes (GB) is the minimum today. Sixteen GB is much better for multitasking. More RAM means your laptop runs faster when you open many programs.
- Storage Type: Solid State Drives (SSDs) are lightning fast. Traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) are slower but offer more space cheaply. A combination—a small SSD for speed and a large HDD for storage—is often ideal.
- Screen Size and Resolution: A 15.6-inch screen is standard. Look for Full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) for clear viewing of movies or documents.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials affect how long your laptop lasts and how it feels to use.
Chassis Durability
- Plastic vs. Metal: Laptops with disc drives often use sturdy plastic casings to keep costs down. Metal (like aluminum) chassis feel premium and resist bending better. If you travel a lot, metal is superior.
- Keyboard Feel: Since you might be typing long documents or entering lots of data from CDs, test the keyboard. Keys should feel responsive and have decent travel distance. Backlighting helps if you work in dim light.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all disc-drive laptops are created equal. Quality varies widely.
What Boosts Quality?
- Good cooling systems prevent overheating, which slows down performance.
- Modern ports, like USB-C (Thunderbolt), allow fast connections to new accessories.
- Long battery life lets you work away from an outlet.
What Lowers Quality?
- Very thick designs often mean older technology or cheaper internal parts.
- Low screen brightness makes outdoor use difficult.
- Slow Wi-Fi cards (like older Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6) cause frustrating internet buffering.
User Experience and Use Cases
Why buy a laptop with a disc drive in the age of streaming? The experience centers on legacy needs.
Who Needs This Laptop?
- Archivists and Educators: People who manage large amounts of data stored on archival DVDs or educational software that never moved online.
- Media Consumers: If you own hundreds of music CDs or movie DVDs, this laptop plays them instantly without downloading.
- Software Installers: Some specialized or older professional tools still only come on CDs or DVDs. This laptop handles those installations easily.
The user experience is different from a thin modern ultrabook. These laptops are usually a bit heavier because the drive mechanism takes up space. However, they offer unmatched convenience for physical media users. You plug it in, the disc spins, and you access your files immediately.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Laptops with Disc Drives
Q: Are new laptops with disc drives still being made?
A: Yes, but fewer companies make them. They are mostly found in larger, budget-friendly, or specialized business/multimedia models.
Q: Is the disc drive slow compared to modern USB drives?
A: Reading data from a disc is slower than reading from an SSD. The drive is for accessing media, not for primary file storage.
Q: Can I just use a cheap external USB disc drive instead?
A: You can. External drives are small and cheap. However, an internal drive saves a USB port and is more convenient for frequent use.
Q: Will a built-in drive handle Blu-ray discs?
A: Usually no. Most built-in drives only handle standard DVDs and CDs. You must specifically look for a laptop advertising Blu-ray read/write capability.
Q: Does having a disc drive mean the laptop is old?
A: Not necessarily. Manufacturers sometimes include the drive in newer, bulkier models aimed at specific, non-ultrabook markets.
Q: What is the most important thing to check about the drive?
A: Confirm it supports writing (burning). If you only need to read, any drive works. If you need to back up data to a blank disc, confirm it has “RW” (ReWritable) capability.
Q: How much heavier is a laptop with a built-in drive?
A: Expect it to be about one to two pounds heavier than an equivalent model without the drive.
Q: Should I worry about the drive breaking easily?
A: Disc drives have moving parts, so they wear out eventually. Handle discs gently when inserting and ejecting them to maximize the drive’s life.
Q: Do these laptops have good battery life?
A: Often, no. The extra components and larger size mean the battery life is usually shorter than in modern, slim laptops.
Q: What minimum screen resolution should I accept?
A: Aim for at least 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). Lower resolutions make watching movies or viewing detailed documents look blurry.