In a world where physical media is becoming increasingly rare, finding a laptop with CD drive can be challenging. However, having a laptop with CD DVD drive built-in is essential for those who still rely on CDs or DVDs for software installation, data backup, or entertainment purposes.
With the focus of buyers on slim and high performance, optical drives take up a lot of space. That space can be used for adding more ports or even providing larger batteries is the major reason why laptops with CD drives are no longer available in the market. Users are more interested in buying an external CD drive instead.
In this blog, we will explore the best laptops with CD drives currently available on the market, highlighting their features and benefits to help you make an informed decision for your computing needs.
Read More: Reviews of the Best Laptops For Streaming- Stream Like a Pro
Benefits of having a CD drive in your laptop
CD drive in a laptop gives you many benefits. First and foremost, it enables you to access and play your favorite music or movies from physical discs without the need for an internet connection.
Furthermore, CD drives allow you to install software or games that may not be readily available through internet marketplaces. They also give a dependable method for backing up crucial information and transferring data as necessary.
A CD drive provides the ease and flexibility of employing physical material with digital alternatives. Stay tuned for tips on how to make the most of your laptop’s CD drive.
Product Buying Guide: Best Laptop With CD Drive
Factors to consider while choosing a laptop with optical drive
Before you buy a laptop with CD DVD drive, there are some factors you should consider. Here are some of them:
Network Compatibility
Not all laptops with optical drives have enough ports. Before buying the best laptop with CD drive, ensure that the laptop is compatible and has all the required ports such as HDMI port, Ethernet port, etc.
Battery Life
We chose a laptop because it is portable and there is no point in buying a laptop with optical if it doesn’t have a good battery life.
So aim to pick the laptop with at least 6 hours of battery life because if you select a heavier battery then you end up losing the portability of the laptop. So you should have a balance between battery and portability.
Connectivity
You are not going to use the Internet with a laptop?? So, you must look for other connectivity options such as the laptop must have Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and the latest Bluetooth technology. However, in a laptop with CD drive, you might not have these options because they are not obsolete. So ideally, like for at least Wi-Fi 4 connectivity.
Portability
Choose a lightweight and compact laptop with CD drive if you travel a lot, as fits comfortably in your bag and is easy to carry around.
Additionally, consider features such as a durable build, spill-resistant keyboard, and versatile hinge design for added durability and usability.
Display
Laptops come with different screen sizes and display types. For eg. for me, a 13-inch touchscreen laptop suits me best as I travel a lot however, you can choose a laptop with a 17-inch screen if you are very fond of reading but it’s not travel-friendly.
Ideally, most laptop with optical drives comes with a 15.6-inch screen size however, one can choose a 2-in-1 laptop with a 14-inch screen size that is more portable and travel-friendly however you can ignore the touchscreen for a budget laptop with CD drive.
Performance
Never compromise the performance while buying a laptop with CD drive. Choose at least an Intel i5 processor or its equivalent AMD Ryzen 5 series processor while choosing the laptop with CD DVD drive built-in.
For a gaming laptop, you must consider buying a dedicated graphics card. You can check this guide if you are interested in buying the quietest gaming laptop.
List of Laptop with CD Drive
Best on the factors mentioned above, here is the list of the best laptops with CD drive I recommend.
Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the laptops so that you can conclude on buying the best laptop with CD Drive that suits work requirements on budget-friendly options.
HP 17z-ca200 Home and Business Laptop
CPU: AMD Athlon Gold 3150U
GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB DDR4-2400
Storage: 2 TB HDD
Display: 17.3-inch (1600 x 900) HD+ BrightView WLED-backlit Non-touch Display
Ports: 1x Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11b/g/n/ac | Bluetooth 4.2 | 2x SuperSpeed USB Type-A | 1x USB 2.0 Type-A | 1x HDMI 1.4b | 1x RJ-45
Optical drive: DVD-R
HP 17Z is one of the best HP laptop with CD drive as the latest laptops don’t have a CD drive. It has an AMD Athlon Gold 3150U which is budget budget-oriented processor. The processor is enough to handle all the office tasks easily however struggle with multi-tasking in heavy applications.
For day-to-day work AMD integrated graphics with 8 GB of RAM is provided. You can also play AAA games but with lowest settings else you may be facing continuous lags.
I must say I’m impressed with its design and display. At this price, you will get a 17.3-inch HD+ display with a larger viewing angle.
This laptop is suitable for users who need a large screen for comfortable viewing and ample storage.
One can perform basic computing tasks and is suitable for home users, students, or small business owners who don’t require high-performance computing.
Pros
- Good display
- Perfect for basic business functions
- Large storage of 2 TB
- Numeric keypad
- Up to 8 hours of battery life
Cons
- The processor can be better, you can do intensive gaming
- 17.3-inch (1600 x 900) HD+ BrightView WLED-backlit Non-touch...
- AMD Athlon Gold 3150U (2.4 GHz base clock, up to 3.3 GHz max...
- 8GB DDR4-2400 SDRAM Memory for full-power multitasking; 2TB...
Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon
Lenovo ThinkPad E570
CPU: Intel 7th gen Core i5-7200U
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Display: 15.6″ HD 1366 x 768 Energy-efficient LED backlight Display
Ports: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0. 1x HDMI, 1x VGA, 1x RJ-45
Optical drive: DVDR/RW
Lenovo Thinkpad are well known for their military-grade durability and performance which makes them the solid choice for professionals looking for the best laptop with optical drive.
The build quality of this laptop is sturdy, with a durable chassis. 15.6 inches screen size strikes a good balance between portability and providing ample workspace.
With a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor along with SSD, the ThinkPad E570 offers reliable performance for everyday business tasks.
For security-conscious users, the fingerprint reader is a valuable feature, providing an extra layer of protection.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable
- Suited for professionals
- Variety of ports for connectivity
- Up to 8 hours of battery life
Cons
- Storage could be increased
- The display is not HD
- Intel 7th gen Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz processor, Turbo up to...
- 15.6" HD 1366 x 768 Energy-efficient LED backlight Display,...
- Next-Gen Intel Wireless-AC 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1,...
Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon
Overall, the Lenovo Thinkpad is the best budget laptop with CD drive that offers speed, reliability performance, and security to its users.
Dell Inspiron 15 5000
CPU: 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 1 TB SATA HDD
Display: 15.6-inch LED Backlit HD
Ports: 1x sd card slot, 2x USB 2.0, 1x dvd drive, 1x RJ-45, 1x Hdmi, 2x USB 3.0
Optical drive: DVD-RW Drive
The Dell 15 5000 series is a versatile laptop designed to fulfill the needs of professionals as well as students. This laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5-7200U processor, combined with 8GB of DDR4 RAM that ensures smooth multitasking and satisfactory performance for everyday personal and professional tasks.
The 15.6-inch HD display is enough for basic use, but its resolution (1366 x 768) may not meet the expectations of users looking for sharper visuals. However, the viewing angle and color reproduction are good.
1 TB of HDD is provided which gives enough storage space but is slower compared to SSDs, which could be a drawback for users looking for faster boot and load times.
Pros
- Sturdy built
- Large storage space
- Variety of ports
- Backlit keyboard
Cons
- Storage is HDD not SSD
- A bit heavy compared to the latest laptops
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U (3MB Cache, 2.50GHz up to...
- Intel HD Graphics 620, 8GB DDR4-2400MHz, 1TB 5400RPM SATA...
- 15.6-inch LED Backlit HD Non-Touch Display (1366x768) 720p...
Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon
Overall, this is one of the best available Dell laptop with CD DVD drive that offers good value for its price. It’s well-suited for users who need a solid performer for everyday tasks and appreciate the extra storage space and optical drive.
Lenovo Ideapad 330
CPU: Intel Pentium N5000
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
RAM: 4GB DDR4
Storage: 500 GB HDD
Display: 15.6″ LED Screen
Ports: 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical drive: DVD+RW
Lenovo Ideapad is an entry-level laptop and is the cheapest laptop with CD drive. This laptop is designed for those who are looking for a laptop with basic needs without breaking the bank.
This laptop is powered by the Intel Pentium N5000 processor and 4GB of RAM, capable of basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and video streaming with ease.
You cannot do heavy tasks with this laptop although you are getting a storage of 500 GB.
Ideapad 330 comes with essential connectivity options, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, and an SD card reader, providing versatility for various peripherals.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Lightweight and portable
- Decent storage
Cons
- Cannot perform multitasking
- Limited RAM
- Display: 15.6" 1366 x 768 (HD) LED backlight display
- Cpu: intelpentium silver CPU N5000 (1.1GHz, up to 2.7GHz)
- Ram: 4GB DDR4-2400 memory
Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon
Overall, the Lenovo Ideapad is the best cheapest laptop with CD drive capable of doing only basic tasks and is suitable for entry-level businesses.
HP Home and Business Laptop
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U
GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB SDRAM
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Display: 17.3″ HD+ SVA BrightView WLED-backlit Display
Ports: 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x Integrated Speaker/ Microphone, 1x HDMI, 1x RJ-45
Optical drive: DVD±RW
This laptop from Hp is designed for users who are looking for a larger display along with better performance for both home and business applications. This laptop is one of the best HP laptop with CD drive.
This laptop has everything, a person is looking for in a laptop. It has an Intel quad-core processor along with 8 GB of RAM to provide you with a balance of performance and efficiency.
256GB of SSD significantly boosts boot times at startup and data access speeds, providing a more responsive user experience.
Moreover, the laptop comes with various connectivity options such as WiFi, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) LAN, and Bluetooth.
Pros
- Strong performance
- Backlit keyboard
- Faster SSD
- Good connectivity options
Cons
- Average battery life of 5 hours
- Display resolution could be higher
- 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U Quad-Core Processor (1.60 GHz Up...
- 17.3" HD+ SVA BrightView WLED-backlit Display (1600x900),...
- 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet, 802_11_BGN, Bluetooth 4.2, Card...
Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon
Overall, this laptop for HP is suitable for users who are looking for a laptop with CD DVD drive and is capable of multitasking with strong performance without lag.
Conclusion: Laptop with CD Drive
While the availability of cloud storage and digital downloads has reduced the need for CD drives, however, there are still situations where a laptop with CD drive is really useful.
For people who often utilize physical media or software installs, a laptop with a CD drive provides ease and adaptability. Furthermore, it allows you to read and write CDs and DVDs without the need for extra peripherals.
Lastly, the choice to purchase a laptop with CD drive is based on personal needs and tastes. Users may continue to benefit from this conventional yet useful function by taking appropriate care of the CD drive and recognizing its practical applications.
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Are there still laptops with CD drives?
The latest models of laptops with optical drives are no longer available however, you can still buy decent laptops with CD drives according to your requirements.
Why don’t laptops come with CD drives anymore?
With the focus of buyers on slim and high performance, optical drives take up a lot of space. That space can be used for adding more ports or even providing larger batteries is the major reason why laptops with CD drives are no longer available in the market.
