Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive - Slim External Optical Drive — main product image

Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive - Slim External Optical Drive

Dell

Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive - Slim External Optical Drive

Name: Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive - Slim External Optical Drive
Brand: Dell
SKU: DW316

★★★★★4.4 (96 reviews)

USB2.07.1 oz

The Dell DW316 slim external DVD drive adds disc reading and burning to any laptop through a simple USB plug-and-play connection.

$34.99*

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Dell DW316 USB DVD Drive is a slim external optical drive designed to restore disc functionality to ultrabooks, thin laptops, and desktops that ship without built-in optical drives. Measuring just 5.4 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches and weighing a mere 7.1 ounces, it's one of the most compact DVD drives available, sliding easily into a laptop bag or desk drawer. The tray-loading mechanism accepts standard-size CDs and DVDs, and the drive supports a full range of formats including DVD±R, DVD±R DL, and standard CDs for both reading and writing operations.

Setup is entirely plug-and-play — connect the USB-A cable to your computer and the drive is recognized immediately on supported Windows systems without any driver installation. The DW316 is bus-powered, drawing its 8W of power directly from the USB port, so there's no external power brick to carry or plug in. Write speeds reach 8x for DVD±R and 24x for CD media, while dual-layer DVD±R DL writing operates at 6x. The drive includes CPRM support for compatible protected media. While the USB 2.0 interface and official support limited to Windows 7 through 10 reflect the drive's original design era, it continues to serve as a dependable option for users who need straightforward, portable disc access.

Key Features

Device Type: External DVD±RW Drive (Color) Black

Interface: USB2.0 [Media Load Type] Tray

Speed (Read/Write) CD: 24x/24x, DVD±R: 8x/8x, DVD±R DL: 8x/6x

[Dimensions/Weight] 5.4 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches (13.7 x 14.4 x 1.4 cm) / 7.1 oz (200 g); Compliance Standards: Plug & Play, CPRM Support. Power Consumption: 8 W

[Supported OS] Microsoft Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 [Service & Support] Hardware Limited Warranty - 1 Year

Specifications

Device Type

External DVD±RW Drive

Color

Black

Interface

USB 2.0

Media Load Type

Tray

CD Read/Write Speed

24x / 24x

DVD±R Read/Write Speed

8x / 8x

DVD±R DL Read/Write Speed

8x / 6x

Dimensions

5.4 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches (13.7 x 14.4 x 1.4 cm)

Weight

7.1 oz (200 g)

Power Consumption

8 W

Supported OS

Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10

Compliance

Plug & Play, CPRM Support

Warranty

1-Year Hardware Limited Warranty

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Ultra-slim 0.5-inch profile and 7.1 oz weight make it highly portable for travel
USB bus-powered operation eliminates the need for an external power adapter
Supports both reading and writing across CD, DVD±R, and DVD±R DL disc formats
Plug-and-play setup requires no driver installation on supported Windows systems
Tray-loading mechanism provides reliable, straightforward disc handling

👎 Cons

USB 2.0 interface limits maximum data transfer speeds compared to USB 3.0 drives
Official OS support ends at Windows 10 with no listed macOS or Linux compatibility
Does not support Blu-ray disc reading or writing
Write speeds max out at 8x for DVD±R which is slower than some competing external drives

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Dell DW316 need external power or just the USB connection?

The DW316 is powered entirely through its USB 2.0 connection, drawing up to 8W from the host computer. No separate power adapter is needed.

Can this drive both read and write DVDs and CDs?

Yes, the DW316 is a DVD±RW drive capable of both reading and writing CDs and DVDs, including dual-layer DVD±R DL discs.

What are the read and write speeds for this drive?

The drive reads and writes CDs at 24x speed, reads and writes DVD±R at 8x speed, and reads DVD±R DL at 8x while writing DVD±R DL at 6x speed.

Is the Dell DW316 compatible with Windows 11 or macOS?

Dell officially lists compatibility with Windows 7 through Windows 10. While the drive may function on Windows 11 or macOS as a basic USB mass storage device, official support and guaranteed compatibility are limited to the listed Windows versions.

How portable is this external DVD drive?

Very portable — it weighs just 7.1 oz (200 g) and measures only 0.5 inches thick, making it easy to slip into a laptop bag alongside an ultrabook or notebook.