What are the various definitions of modern optical drives? I know that there's Superdrive, Super-Multi Drive, Dual-Format Drive but I don't know what they are or if there're any others. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

The first two are MAC drives. Combo usually refers to CDRW with a DVD player "DVD DUAL LAYER" usually (check specs though) burns both single layer + and - and also of course 9.4 gig dual layer DVD's. "DVD +" is another format "DVD RAM" is a data storage DVD, no movies. "DVD -" is the other format of 'regular' dvd, less compatible I believe with regular players (which is why most dvd players now do both + and -. DVD ROM is obviously only a reader. CDRW is a rewrite capable cd burner. CD writer is a burner not capable of using 'rewriteable' cd's. And if you think that isn't enough.... check out the new blue ray http://news.com.com/2100-1041-990826.html And if that isn't enough.... this will amaze you, 1,000 gigs on a disc....... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/07/hvd_alliance_founded/

Thanks for the response Francis, but I guess I shoulda made my question a bit clearer. I'm cool with the various optical drive formats but I'm just a bit fuzzy on the terminology for the drives themselves. For example, is there a specific definition for a drive that supports both DVD+/-RW and CD-RW and is there a different definition for a drive that supports those three formats and also DVD-RAM? Thanks again though. My bad for not wording it right.

"For example, is there a specific definition for a drive that supports both DVD+/-RW and CD-RW..." Yes, but it's numerical and not commonly thrown around. DVD writers support CD-RW's pretty much as standard (same as DVD drives supported CD's). "...is there a different definition for a drive that supports those three formats and also DVD-RAM?" I'm not sure that exists. DVD±RW is very common now (though the +/- are technically competing standards). But DVD-RAM is not nearly so common (or cheap).

Just out of interest, the LG 4163 has allformats including DVD-Ram and is about the same price as the rest.

I don't think so. Apple calls things special names because it controls what will and won't work in their computers. Everythign is under license. So you get to call your drive a superdrive if Mac says so. I think a dual layer dvd writer is a superdrive, lol, because it does pretty much everything.

Thanks for the help everyone.