Well, the Dell DW316 can rightly be called a smart external CD/DVD drive. That is to say, you can store the cable and the unit separately so that it wouldn’t bend and break. Also, you are welcome to take the DW316 on business trips due to its lightweight and detachable power cable design. Its length is 60 cm (23.6 inches), so you can connect it to a desktop with ease.
Since you can connect the unit to both a laptop and a desktop PC the cable is made twice as long as most of the external CD drives on the market. The power cable is another thing we find clever with this drive. You will also notice a tiny indicator light that blinks when the drive is on and an emergency eject hole for the situations when the disc tray doesn’t open. There is only one button that opens the disk tray. The only flaw of such a design - it splotches easily, so you might want to wipe the unit pretty often. Plus, in a combo with rounded corners, the glossy casing gives the drive a cool look. The upper part has a glossy black coating with a noticeable company logo in the center. We definitely adore the minimalist design the Dell DW316 has. With this tool, you have access to all CyberLink apps like the PowerDVD to play movies or the PowerDirector to create your own media.
They have pre-loaded the CyberLink Media Suite so that you wouldn’t need to waste time surfing the web for reliable software to back up your data. Software-wise, the manufacturer has thought about users’ convenience too. For example, it rewrites DVD-RAMs at 5x which is a bit higher than some USB 3.0 drives can offer. We do like how fast the DW316 is rewriting data from disks. Anyway, the drive read /burn CDs and DVDs at 24x and 8x respectively. Even despite the fact that Dell lacks a USB 3.0 connection. The maximum reading and writing speeds are standard with this model. The DSB is 0.75 MB, so you will have quick access to all your information on the medium. This model offers both reading and burning for your CDs and DVDs at a fairly high speed. What kind of codes-manufacturer, generic, etc.-and vehicle sensor readings do you need your reader to be able to interpret? Make sure you choose a model that's compatible with your particular car.For Dell and other Windows-based computers and laptops, Dell engineers have created the DW316 slim external DVD R/W drive. If you know you’re going to be using the reader a lot, though, it may be worth it to spend a little extra to get the bells and whistles of the fancier devices. It’s important to keep in mind the features you need to get the best value for your money.
These scanners can have pretty advanced functionality, so it’s important to find one that isn’t too confusing and will help you figure out what’s wrong with your vehicle without too many steps.Ĭar code readers can come in at many different price points. If you’re just getting into cars and haven’t had a car code reader before, it’s probably a good idea to purchase one that is simple to use. What to Look For in a Car Code Reader Ease of Use The LCD display is large and easy to read, and it supports a three-year warranty. It's a great choice for beginners, and it works for most cars made in the U.S. We like the Ancel Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II scanner because of how easy to use. These repair reports are pulled from a database over 6.6 million vehicle-specific diagnostics, so chances are, you’ll be able to pull one up for your specific vehicle.īluetooth: Yes | Built-in Display: No | Dimensions: 2.2"x1.9"x1" | Weight: 2.08 Oz You can even have the app generate repair reports on-demand that are compiled and verified by certified technicians. What’s extra interesting about this is the 24/7 support, meaning that you can actually get in touch with an actual human if you need more information on a particular reading.
You can take all the requisite actions like calling up codes, searching them, and even setting the app into HUD mode to treat it as an onboard meter. This app is the centerpiece of the whole unit, as it’s one the most beautifully designed and full-featured pieces of software we’ve seen.
This small sensor, once installed, transmits codes, errors, and information via Bluetooth to the BlueDriver app.
The BlueDriver OBDII Scanner isn’t exactly the cheapest option out there, but seeing as it’s aimed at those who want more professional readings than you can get from all-in-one units, that’s to be expected. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections are a bit spotty