Pioneer Debuts Light and Slim Portable DVD Writer

Does your ultraportable or netbook need a portable CD/DVD player? Pioneer's DVR-XD09 runs off the USB bus and is barely larger than a jewel case.

Ultraportable and netbook computers might be all the rage for the on-the-go generation, but those teeny computers often omit an optical drive to save bulk and weight. That’s fine&hellp;until you need an optical drive. To save the day, Pioneer has announced its new DVR-XD09 portable DVD/CD writer, which weighs just eight ounces, can write dual-layer DVD media, and is barely larger than a music CD jewel case.

“With more than three decades of optical disc advancements, we are excited to once again modernize the DVD/CD computer writer category with our new drive that combines high capacity, high quality performance in one of the world’s most slender form factors,” said Pioneer Electronics’ director of optical sales Steve Cohn, in a statement.

The DVR-XD09 powers off the USB 2.0 port—so there’s no awkward AC adapter to carry around—and should be available in August for $79.99.