History

• CD drives for computers became popular as computer application programs grew larger and it became more convenient to use a compact disk to install than a series of floppy disks. Early CD-Rom drives were slow, running at 1X or 150 kilobytes per second, but the technology quickly grew to where drives run at 52X speeds, making large application files quick and efficient to install.
  
  

Significance

• CD-Rom drives revolutionized the way people used computers. Now, instead of needing a dozen delicate floppy disks to install a program, a single compact disk could be used. Compact disks, while they could be easily scratched, proved to be more durable if kept in a case when not in use.
  
  

Function

• A CD drive can perform a variety of tasks. With the advent of writeable and rewriteable compact disk technology, users could use the drive to back up important data or entire hard drives. The drive also can be used for listening to or copying music files including MP3s.
  
  

Types

• CD-Rom drives on the market include those that are capable of simply reading compact disks to those that can burn CDs. Speeds can vary, with most having a listing of both reading speed and recording speed. For Rewriteable CDs, there can be a third speed listed.
  
  

Size

• Laptop CD drive by KYares
  
  CD drives are available for both desktop computers and laptops. Older CD drives will fill an entire empty bay of a desktop, while newer models may only be half the size in height of available expansion bays. Laptop CD drives are usually very thin and no larger than the base of the machine.
  
  

Considerations

• Combination laptop DVD/CD-RW drive
  
  CD-Rom drives are quickly being replaced by DVD drives. The DVD drive serves the same function as the CD drive in that it can play and write CDs, but with the benefit of the DVD medium holding more data and allowing the user to play and watch commercial DVDs on their computers.
  
  

Benefits

• Compact disks are inexpensive compared to Digital Video Disks. Depending on where the disks are purchased, blank CDs can cost a quarter of the asking price of a blank DVD. If stored properly, a CD will retain data for years and be read in any CD or DVD drive.