If you're in the market, I bought Plextor's PX-740UF external DVD drive a couple of weeks ago, and I've got nothing but good things to say about it. The internal drive was obviously much cheaper (~$80 cheaper) but this external DVD burner is the cat's meow. I've used both the USB2 and Firewire connections with great effect. Very fast, reasonably quiet, and with a nice Nero package. If I had any complaints (and I don't) it would be the external drive gets quite hot. AND For anyone jumping into this for the first time, please also note that just 'cause you buy a DVD burner doesn't mean you have the "rights" to watch a DVD on it. Yep, you've got to buy a separate DVD license (NOT included with the plextor), but if you own any software DVD player you'll be fine. Just install the software DVD player you own, and the included plextor software (Nero 6 in my case) will automatically allow you to play "protected" video. That's PLAY protected video you evil children, NOT record. Anyway, just thought I'd share.
And, if you thonk that Plextor made that drive .. you'd be off base. That drive was made by BenQ. Anyway, just thought I'd share
