DVD drives can also read standard CDs, which makes them perfect for laptops because you'll get all the functionality you need, plus the added bonus of being able to watch movies while you travel. Kitty Vickers, an attorney who lives in Houston, has had three laptops equipped with DVD drives in her family during the past two years, and they got a heavy workout during long trips. Often, while her husband drove at night, she'd put on headphones and watch a movie, either by herself or with her son as the miles rolled past. In April we traveled to Vietnam for two weeks to adopt two older children. It was great to be able to watch movies while sitting around in the hotel during the many hours we were waiting for all of the paperwork to be completed.
Users say DVD-equipped laptops have enormous advantages over other kinds of portable video players.
Mosl Roland, a Web designer who lives in Austria near Salzburg, uses his laptop as a DVD player, and hopes to also use it as a television in his motor home next year. John Yuen of San Jose, Calif., has had DVD in his last three laptops. I usually save a couple of new releases for my trip and it's better than the limited selection that the airlines offer. The only drawback is if you have to fly coach since space will be very tight for a laptop with a 14-inch screen. Battery endurance is also a concern.