LG External Super Multi DVD-RW (GSA-E50L)

By Craig Simms on 20/12/2007

More LG Electronics reviews , RRP: AU$199.00

The good:

  • Bus powered
  • Reasonably fast
  • Affordable

The bad:

  • Slim accessories

The bottomline:

If your laptop doesn't have an optical drive or you need to replace your dud internal one, LG's latest offering is well worth the money.

Editors' rating:

8/10

Users' rating:

9.3/10

With laptops getting smaller and smaller, often they drop one of the most vital components to save on space and deliver on other features -- the optical drive. LG's GSA-E50L addresses this issue, and brings CD/DVD burning with it for an affordable price.

Design/Features
The sleek 380 gram unit features a piano black top, matte black bottom and white sides. A single eject button is on the front, along with an activity light and the emergency release hole. The back is just as sparse with a mini-USB connector for data and power, and if your USB port doesn't supply enough power an additional adapter can be added -- this however is not included, so you'll have to grab your own if this is the case.

Performance
Using ImgBurn's discovery mode, a Taiyo Yuden DVD-R took 11 minutes, 28 seconds to write to, while a Verbatim CD-R only took 5 minutes, 47 seconds, both burns producing a clean result and using no more than 3% CPU during the write process. While this is slower than a desktop equivalent thanks to the USB connection, it's completely respectable for an external drive.

If your laptop doesn't have an optical drive or you need to replace your dud internal one, LG's latest offering is well worth the money.

Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!

232324
15/06/2008, 05:09 PM

rating
10
/10

Creative solution to use with Ultra Portable Laptops. Especially with my Eee...

Pros: Slim, light, stylish, doesn't need power adapter...

Cons: ?

Report offensive comment

640-802
25/03/2008, 05:19 AM

rating
9
/10

yeah, This really works fine. My uncle sent me gift, really best one to use

Report offensive comment

celsocos
18/01/2008, 11:39 PM

rating
8
/10

This unit delivers what LG claims. It can work with one usb, read and write CD and DVDs.

Pros: Very light and stylish. Average speed is above my expectation for such small and low power device.

Cons: Although it works with one USB, it will not work aways. You must have a full compliant USB port, some ports have low power. With low power USB port the unit can refuse to work, so is tricky to find the correct USB port.

Report offensive comment

mepis
25/12/2007, 04:13 AM

rating
10
/10

simply the best with asus eeepc.Works great!!!

Report offensive comment

  • Leave a comment

All fields marked with * are required

What do you think

Rate this product:

Need help? Read our guidelines for what each number rating represents.

Your e-mail will not be displayed

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

You must read and type the 6 chars.

  • Inside Apple's new Chatswood store

  • Eight tips to make your home eco-friendly

  • Apple updates Leopard to 10.5.4

  • Photos: Inside Apple's Sydney store

  • Whaddyareckon?: Human-gadget hybrids

  • Intel announces 4 Series desktop chipset family

  • Hey, look! Full-size systems from Asus

  • File sharing between XP, Vista and OS X on a local network

  • Apple uncovers Sydney store for the first time

More articles »

Find the right desktop

Brand
  • Multiple options can be selected

    The Explain Series

    • Sony  DRX-S70U

      Sony DRX-S70U

      Sony's slimline DRX-S70U drive is quite appealing for travellers or those with dud notebook drives -- as long as you've got space for the AC adaptor.

    • LG External Super Multi DVD-RW (GSA-E50L)

      LG External Super Multi DVD-RW (GSA-E50L)

      If your laptop doesn't have an optical drive or you need to replace your dud internal one, LG's latest offering is well worth the money.

    • Pioneer BDR-202BK

      Pioneer BDR-202BK

      Pioneer's drive and bundle is excellent, but also expensive and clearly an early adopter's product.

    • Plextor PX-810SA DVD±RW

      Plextor PX-810SA DVD±RW

      The Plextor PX-810SA internal CD/DVD burner is quick for both ripping and burning. We like it.

    • LaCie d2 external Blu-ray burner

      LaCie d2 external Blu-ray burner

      The LaCie d2 Blu-ray burner offers good performance speeds, but it's still prohibitively expensive.

    More reviews »

    Membership benefits

    Create wishlists

    Create wishlists

    See a product on CNET.com.au that you want? Add it to your wishlist and send a hint to your friends and family. Sign up for a free CNET.com.au membership now!