Internal vs. External

[BJMSG06]

What is the difference between external dvd burners and internal dvd burners? Which one has better reliablility/quality?

I was thinking about getting the Plextor 740UF after hearing that external drives were better

[redwudz]

Internal, always. The external drives are going through three interfaces. First the PCI interface that the internal drives use, then a Firewire or USB interface/controller to the external drive box interface/controller, and then finally to the drive itself. There are a lot more chances for problems. And if either the USB or Firewire interface has other devices on it, even more chances for problems.

Most of the time external drives work fine. The internal drives very rarely have problems, and then it is more likely the drive, not the interface.