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If your family is like mine, you probably have a stack of CDs or DVDs containing numerous photos, videos, music or other precious files that can never be replaced.
Would you be heart-broken if you ever lost access to those precious, irreplaceable files?
If so, you need to make sure you will always have an optical drive on hand so you’ll be able to retrieve the files from those old storage discs in the future.
Chances are your current computer has an internal optical drive, but what if your next computer doesn’t have one? Or perhaps the computer after that?
Most new computers don’t come with internal optical drives these days, and I expect them to be phased out entirely in the not-so-distant future. That’s why I recommend that you purchase an inexpensive external USB optical drive right now while you can still get one.
Keeping an external optical drive stashed away in a drawer will ensure that you’ll probably be able to retrieve your irreplaceable photos and other files in the future, even if your computer doesn’t have an internal optical drive.
Of course USB technology is likely to evolve over time, but I believe it will always be with us in one form or another. You might have to purchase an adapter at some point, but you’ll probably be able to use your external drive regardless of where USB technology ultimately ends up.
Bottom line: Having an external USB optical drive on hand will help ensure that you never end up with a stack of precious DVDs or CDs that you are unable to use because technology has left them behind.
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