Burn CDs, DVDs, and labels with Samsung LightScribe drive, $26.99 shipped
(Credit:
Newegg)
The day I bought myself a LightScribe DVD drive was the day I put away my Sharpie marker forever. Sure, it takes upwards of 20 minutes to burn a custom label on a LightScribe disc, but the results are vastly superior to my chicken scratch.
Newegg has the Samsung SH-S202N 20X internal DVD burner with LightScribe technology for just $26.99. It's a new unit with no rebates, free shipping, and mostly positive reviews.
If you've never done it before, swapping out an optical drive is a piece of cake. Unplug the power and interface connectors, slide out the old drive, then slide in the replacement. Reconnect the cables and you're pretty much good to go. You'll need a system with a parallel interface (this is not a SATA drive) and some LightScribe CD and/or DVD media. Head to the official LightScribe site to learn everything else you need to know about the technology.
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
