Once upon a time, every high-end laptop on the market came with a DVD drive. It was the hallmark of a laptop: the ability to act like a computer and still read and write a DVD disc. However, things have changed. The best laptops with DVD drive today are likely not going to make lists of the best laptops on the markets. Giants that drive the trend, for example, Apple, HP, Lenovo, and Asus have jettisoned the DVD drive to make their laptops lighter and faster.
To assist you in buying the best laptops with DVD player, we have carried out loads of research. We have thus come up with this list of the ten best options on the market right now.
In making a buying choice, some of the factors that you should consider include the CPU, the GPU, display, RAM, and storage. The best units on the market combine these important factors excellently.
Without further ado, let us now consider the top choices.
10 Best Laptops with CD/DVD Drive
HP Envy 17t – Best HP Laptop with DVD Player
The HP Envy 17t is one of the best laptops you can buy right now. It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor: a quad-core processor that gives it plenty of computing power. This impressive processor is coupled with a 4GB NVIDIA GTX MX150 graphics card. Thus, if you are looking to play some games or run relatively heavy software, you can bet that it can handle it.
Importantly in the context of this article, the Envy 17t comes with a DVD drive. Therefore, if you have a DVD collection, you can watch your movies right on the laptop. It also allows you to burn program files into a disc or read off the disc.
The laptop features a large 17.3 screen: the largest on this roundup. The display has 4K resolution, which results in crisp, clear images on the screen. The color replication is bright and very accurate.
Unlike many high-end units, however, this laptop still has an HDD storage system. But it makes up for this by offering up to 1TB of space. Thus, there is seemingly no end to the files you can copy.
It also comes with 16 GB of RAM, which makes it easy to run several software simultaneously.
The battery lasts up to 4 hours, which isn’t surprising given the large screen and resolution. Furthermore, it weighs 6.72 pounds, which is frankly quite heavy.
The HP Envy 17t is arguably the best laptop with CD drive on the market right now. It might be a tad costly, but it is surely worth the cost.
Pros
- Large 4K screen
- Powerful CPU
- Great graphics performance
Cons
- Battery life is average
- Heavy
Dell Inspiron 15.6” – Best Dell Laptop with DVD Player
Up next is the Dell Inspiron 15.6”. It comes as one of the best laptops in its class and delivers decent overall performance.
This model has a 15.6” screen and offers FHD resolution. Therefore, images are clear, although not as impressive as those of the HP reviewed above. Design-wise, though, we like the high screen to body ratio that it comes with.
Internally, this model features an Intel Core i7 processor clocked at 3.5 GHz. This CPU is quite powerful and is capable of dealing with high-level software without lagging.
Importantly, it comes with a DVD player that allows you to read and write DVD discs. Graphics and similar stuff is handled by the AMD 4GB GPU. Therefore, while it would not play your games at the highest resolution or frames, it is still a decent gaming machine.
With 16GB RAM, it is an excellent pick for power users. It also comes with 1TB HDD that can store as many movies as you desire. The battery lasts for up to 5 hours, and it weighs about 5.13 pounds.
Overall, considering the features and appearance of the laptops, it is one of the best to opt for when looking for a model with DVD drive.
Pros
- Impressive graphics card
- Durable construction
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Heavy
- No SSD
MSI GL62M – Best Gaming Laptop with DVD Drive
If you are looking for a gaming laptop in this category, then look no further than this powerhouse from MSI. It might be more expensive than several others on this roundup, but it justifies the price tag by coming with several impressive features.
It features a 15.6” display that offers 1920 x 1080 resolution and webcam at the top. Therefore, you can play your games on a clear screen and interact with friends over HD resolution.
The machine is powered by an Intel Core i7 CPU that breezes through most software installed. The processor is clocked at 3.8 GHz, which offers more than enough computing power. Additionally, it uses an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics chip with 4GB DDR5 memory. Therefore, it is especially suited to gaming.
A unique feature about this machine is it has dual hard drives. Therefore, it comes with both SSD and HDD drives. It is thus one of the fastest units on this list. The 128GB SSD helps with fast boot time while the 1 TB HDD gives all the space you need to store your movies and so on.
It has an impressive battery as well, as it can hold up for up to 7 hours of continuous use. At 5.29 pounds of weight, it is rather heavy, but this is a small price to pay for such an incredible laptop.
Pros
- Excellent graphics
- Features SSD
- Impressive display
- Great battery life
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM
- Costly
ASUS FX73VE-WH71 – Best ASUS Laptop with DVD Drive
The ASUS brand is a popular brand and is one of the giants in the laptop industry. This model is an excellent model that comes with a large 17.3” display. This large screen delivers FHD resolution as well. Therefore images are super-clear. It comes at a high price and is one of the most expensive options available in this category.
This model has an impressive graphics card and features that allow it to play high-end games and run graphics-heavy software easily. It also features an Intel Core i7 CPU that clocked speeds of 3.8 GHz. Powered by NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, it is a machine that will last well into the future of gaming.
It comes with a 1 TB HDD, which allows you to store as many games, music, or movies as you desire. Although it is a gaming system, it lacks the SSD of the MSI model reviewed above. This means that it is a tad slower than that model.
At 6.6 pounds, it is not designed to be carried around. Furthermore, the 17” display is a deterrent to portability.
On the plus side, it has a powerful battery that can last up to 8 hours; the best we have considered so far on this roundup.
Pros
- Large screen
- Excellent battery life
- Powerful performance
Cons
- Ugly design
- Heavy
Acer Aspire E15 – Best Acer Laptop with DVD Drive
The Acer Aspire E15 is one of the most common laptop models on the market. It comes with so many features that make it a good contender on almost any lists concerning laptops. It comes at a relatively mid-range price, but do not be deceived, it delivers truly impressive computing performance.
It has a Core i5 processor that rivals processors from even more expensive options on the market. This 8th gen processor comes with 8 cores that delivers more than decent performance and manages power better than other options you might find in this price range.
The design is quite simple. It has a durable plastic construction and has a DVD player that supports up to 8x speed.
The 15.6” laptop offers a 1920 x 1080p resolution. It is also backed by an efficient Nvidia GTX MX150 GPU; hence you can play games conveniently.
With 8 GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage, it is a pretty fast model that works smoothly.
Battery life is one of the main reasons why many love this machine. It provides power for up to 11 hours at a go! Weighing 5.27 pounds, it is also relatively lightweight, which means that you can carry it around with you easily.
Pros
- Incredible battery
- SSD drive
- Affordable
Cons
- Simple design
HP Pavilion 2019 – Best Budget Laptop with DVD Player
If you are not looking to break the bank, but still want a mid-tier machine that can handle your basic tasks, then this machine from HP can be just what you need. It comes with the basic functions, from watching DVDs via the optical drive to browsing the web and more.
Internally, it comes with just the right parts that can power through tasks. First, there is an AMD A6-9220 processor, a deviation from the Intel processors featured so far on this roundup. This processor allows you to do different stuff on the laptop. It also has 500GB of space, although it is an HDD drive. Thus, it loses out on speeds.
Since it is a low-priced unit, it doesn’t come with dedicated graphics chip. Therefore, you will not play the latest games on this unit.
There is a 15.6” display and a resolution of 1366 x 768. This isn’t the best resolution available, but it should do for your regular tasks.
Overall, if you are on a budget, it would be hard to find a better option on the market right now.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight and portable
- Good warranty
Cons
- Poor display
- Just HDD drive
Lenovo IdeaPad 300 – Best Budget Lenovo Laptop with CD Drive
Up next is a model from Lenovo. Like the other units above, it is a budget-level unit; however, it offers more than several others.
First of all, it has a 17.3” display at 1600 x 900p resolution. Design-wise, there are thick bezels which can cause a distraction. It also admittedly isn’t really as sharp as some other better models.
Internally, it has a 6th Intel Core i5 dual-core processor. The processor clocks at 2.8GHz. You’ll notice that this speed isn’t as great as others reviewed so far.
To handle your graphics, it utilizes an integrated graphics card; which is definitely not surprising considering the low price. Nevertheless, the integrated graphics chip is sufficient for everyday use.
On the plus side, it has 8 GB RAM and 1TB HDD storage. While SSD is the preferred drive for many, the 1 TB size allows you to store so many things conveniently.
We also love the keyboard. If you love typing, you will enjoy the travel on this laptop.
It weighs a hefty 6.6 pounds and delivers a battery life of about 4 hours.
Pros
- Keyboard is easy to use
- Plenty of ports
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Average screen
ASUS VivoBook Max – Best Entry-level laptop with DVD player
This unit is one of the cheapest available on the market today. Coming in at less than $300, this low-budget laptop will not leave any dents in your pockets.
Considering the low price, it isn’t especially surprising that it lacks several of the features found in more expensive models.
It comes with a 15.6” screen at 1366 x 786p resolution. The size is great enough; however, the resolution is too poor for many. When used indoors, you’ll likely have no serious complaints. Move outdoors, though, and you will have problem seeing your screen.
The Intel Pentium N4200 quad-core CPU which clocks at 2.4 GHz means it isn’t the most powerful or most powerful on the market. The integrated Intel HD graphics card is sufficient for simple tasks but cannot handle more-intensive tasks.
The laptop comes with 4 GB RAM and another RAM slot which can be used to boost the power. Therefore, it can help to allow it handle tougher tasks.
The laptop features HDD storage of 500 GB that gives enough space to install different software.
Battery life is up to 6 hours. One of the best features of this laptop is the low weight of just 2.2 pounds. Therefore, you can carry it around with you easily.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Lightweight
- Nice battery life
Cons
- Low performance
- Low HDD storage
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 – Best Business Laptop
For business people that want the best laptop with CD drive, the Dell 5000 is one of the best options available on the market today. This excellent laptop comes with a professional design that most business people would admire.
It comes with a 15.6” display and 1080p resolution. Furthermore, it has a touchscreen display. Therefore, it is one of the rarer units on this roundup. It comes with Windows 10 installed. Coupled with the touchscreen, the Windows 10 OS makes it so easy and enjoyable to use.
It is powered by an 8th Gen Intel Quad Core i5 processor. It clocks up to 3.4 GHz, which also makes it work much faster than lesser models. With 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB HDD space, you have more than enough space to store and run your software and play movies.
While the Intel Graphics 620 is not made for gaming or heavy tasks, it is sufficient for business people looking for a good laptop.
Pros
- DVD drive
- Portable
- Nice display
Cons
- No SSD
Acer Predator 15 G9 – Best Budget Gaming Laptop
The last unit on this roundup is the excellent gaming laptop from Lenovo. It is a customizable laptop that you can decide to buy with or without the optical drive. However, since you can actually choose to have it with the drive, it has a worthy spot on this list.
It comes with a modular drive that you can replace to a fan. As a gaming laptop, it produces plenty of heat and needs to be cooled. Lenovo has made the optical drive modular to allow you swap it out and give your laptop more cooling.
Aside from this, it comes with a standard interior. First, there is a quad-core Core i7 processor and 16 GB of RAM. Therefore, it handles games efficiently.
This model also comes with HDD and SSD storage, which is a really great combination. It makes the laptop boot faster and offers overall zippy performance.
Graphics is handled by the 6GB dedicated Nvidia GTX 1060 card. An all-round excellent gaming laptop, it is one to keep an eye on.
Pros
- Detachable DVD drive
- Excellent graphics card
- Good display
- SSD and HDD storage
Cons
- Heavy
Buying Guide
If you are looking to buy a laptop with a DVD player, there are several factors that you need to consider. The ten models we reviewed above are some of the best on the market. With the reviews, your choices are narrowed, and you can make a better choice.
There are certain factors to consider when choosing these types of laptops. Fortunately, these factors are similar to those used in choosing any other laptop. Let us now consider these factors.
Features to consider
Size
When it comes to your laptop, the size matters.
It is important that you consider what you plan on using the laptop for. Unlike other factors like RAM and display, you cannot change the size of the laptop.
Laptops on the market usually begin from 11.6” and upward.
If what you are looking for is a unit that can be carried around, then you should go for a small-sized unit. If you are stationary, you can opt for a large laptop.
Most of the units reviewed above and even on the market come with at least 15” size. This is due to the DVD drive taking up more space. The DVD drive also causes an increase in weight.
Thus, if you are buying a laptop with an optical drive, chances are pretty high that it would be relatively big and heavy.
Screen
Since a large chunk of a laptop is the screen, and you’ll be staring at it often, you need to get a screen that you would be comfortable with.
There are several factors to be considered in terms of screen. Some laptops come with a touchscreen. Touchscreens are increasingly common on the market today, although the best options do not usually come with a DVD drive.
Nevertheless, you can still find some units with touchscreens with CD drives. One downside of touchscreen units is that they often have glossy reflections.
If you aren’t looking for a touchscreen option, then you’d find several units on the market that will suit you just fine.
Another factor to consider with regards to screen is the resolution. High-end laptops come with up to 4K resolution.
Keyboard
If you are buying the laptop majorly for typing, then you need to ensure that it comes with a keyboard that is very comfortable to use.
It should come with a good layout and full-sized keys. And additional feature is the backlight. It allows you to type on the keyboard even in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the features of the best laptops with optical drive?
There are several units on the market to choose from. The units that we have reviewed are some of the best options that offer a DVD drive.
Some of the models we reviewed above come with features like 4K screens, 16 GB RAM and dedicated graphics cards.
Do the latest laptops come with DVD drives?
Well, most of the latest high-end units on the market today do not come with an optical drive. In most cases, the drive is removed to make the laptop slimmer and lighter.
Nevertheless, there are some high-end models that have refused to conform to the trend of eliminating the CD/DVD drive.
Why are Optical Drives rare to find in laptops?
Once upon a time, this feature was very popular. However, with the creation of USB drives, pen drives and more sophisticated hard disks, many have opted to remove them.
Admittedly, optical drives are slower and louder than the options mentioned above. Nevertheless, an optical drive still has advantages.
Can I install software without an optical drive?
Yes. You could buy an external DVD drive, connect it to your laptop, and install it. Other software and application can be downloaded and installed straight from the internet.
Can you burn DVDs on laptops?
Well, yes! If you choose any of the models reviewed above, you would be able, not just to watch movies and listen to music, but you can also read and write CDs and DVDs.
Conclusion
The models listed and reviewed above are the best laptops with DVD drive on the market right now. Before making a buying decision, we recommend that you consider what you would be using the laptop for. That way, it will serve you well.
In the article above, we have tried to include several laptops available at different prices; thus, you can get an option that would fit your budget. As expected, the more expected models offer high-end features and specifications, while the lower priced units offer more modest options. However, all of them offer an optical drive.
We hope that you consider this review and guide and use it in buying the best laptop for your needs.