Ripping CD's without an internal drive

Hi,

Just upgrade to a new Dell Alienware Aurora R13 which has no internal slot loading drive DVD/BluRay drive. My old Alienware, which I'm sending to a friend, did. My question is how do you rip music without such a drive?

Thanks.
Eric

 

Does the Dell have USB ports?

 

I use an external USB blu-ray drive LG.

 

Yes, I do have USB ports. As RodentDog just mentioned, I guess I should look into an external drive?

 

I got one for my MacBook for about $30. They're cheap enough and well worth it.

 

Yes

 

Ripped about 40 CDs this last weekend on my laptop with a $15 Thinkpad USB external drive.... yes, sounds like what you need.

 

Just for Schlitz 'n giggles, it's not very difficult to install an optical drive. Your machine probably has an empty bay just waiting for something...

 

Agreed...I would do this if you import regularly.

 

Doesn’t appear so.

Alienware Aurora R13 Gaming Desktop with Intel 12th Gen | Dell USA

 

Yes, one of "those" cases...external USB one will do it. I put mine away when not using.

 

Pretty cool stuff.

 

Not these days. Most people no longer use internal drives. The computer makers, incliding the case manufacturers, no longer offer them because they cater to the gamer market, as if they are the only ones who use computers.

But, the OP was talking about laptops, and Apple started that trend several years ago of not providing ROM drives so they could make them slimmer and lighter.

I favor desktop computers. I always build in a case with drive bays because I like the convenience of an internal drive. In my experience, they also don't malfunction as often and last me many years. But, I admit that these days, I don't use the drive much anymore, as I rarely buy CDs anymore. The only time I really use it is when someone wants me to burn a CD-R for them, whom are usually gen-X'ers or baby-boomers who are still stuck on CDs.

 

USB exclosure that takes a SATA drive. Enclosure = $40. Cheap LG SATA drive for $20. When drive burns out, pop another in the enclosure. Use EAC or dBPoweramp for ripping. I have ripped thousands of CDs using this system BTW.

 

Wow that's an awesome looking computer.

 

I have a Pioneer internal that I put in when the OEM Sony started dipsticking on me, and an inexpensive Dell USB external. If I'm doing more that 3-4 rips, I'll alternate.

Occasionally one will rip a track that the other won't.

 

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-2...k-black/5109841.p?skuId=5109841&intl=nosplash

 

Ah. Couldn't tell that from his description.

 

When I googled “Dell Alienware Aurora R13“ I did not get a laptop.

Alienware Aurora R13 Gaming Desktop with Intel 12th Gen | Dell USA

 

A desktop, although not a very roomy one.

 

If you are going to add an external drive and plan to rip many discs, look carefully for one that has a traditional "drop in" tray as opposed to a "snap on" hub. I could find very few recently when I replaced my defunct old external drive, a $10 thrift store purchase from several years ago. I ended up buying one branded Kanguru, not because I knew anything about it and certainly not because it was the least expensive choice (it decidedly wasn't) but because I couldn't find much else that wouldn't require snapping each disc onto a hub on a skeletal sled. Having taken on several of those big "Composer X's complete works" CD sets at a giveaway party a while back, I'm facing a major copying project (I rip all my CDs to an external hard drive and then archive the physical discs--more convenient playback, and I think the sound is better than component players, at least at the modest level I've had), and I don't want to face fiddling with snapping each one onto a hub and then snapping it off again throughout.

For what it's worth, so far, knock on wood, the Kanguru has worked OK, but I haven't copied more than a handful of discs with it at this point; been too busy doing needle drops to the same hard drive.

 

We are of one mind.

 

Had nothing but trouble with this brand. Tried 3, all busted within no time. I used to have an LG, so went back to that make (it's LG Hitachi or something now), and it feels less flimsy and prone to self-destruction.

EG.

 

One thing I seriously recommend looking for in an external CD ROM (or any external device) is a separate power source. One that does NOT pull its v from the USB buss! In other words, one that uses a 5V USB wart for phone charging that powers the device. Its much quieter and better that way.
Some will come with a cable that has 2 USB paddles that will draw the extra current from the USB buss. Find one that uses a plug-in wart.

And use at least this level of USB cable: https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-F...8838182&sprefix=Audioquest+USB,aps,175&sr=8-5

Actually makes a difference. Allegedly.

 

Working well for about a year now. Wouldn't want to be rough with it.