LG GSA-E50N
LG has only recently come to the business of portable DVD drives. The GSA-E50N went to market in October and it's got some catching up to do if it wants to beat Lite-On, the old hand in this game. You can tell it’s trying real hard, though – perhaps a little bit too hard.
This slim, portable external 8x DVD drive looks fancier than the older Lite-On model. However, it performed half a minute slower in write tests than the Lite-On and made a little more noise, so looks aren’t everything.
On the plus side, LG has its own SecureDisc technology, which you can use to encrypt your data DVDs. That can be quite handy if you work at the HMRC and have been asked to send child benefit records in the post.
The E50N also gets its power from a second USB cable so you don't have to lug around an adaptor and plug it into a wall to make it work. That makes it truly portable and ideal for people with the kind of tiny laptops that have skimped on DVD writers. This model will also cost you less than £50, making it very attractive.

Rating: 7/10