cd-rw dvd

[no2like]

I was about to purchase a new computer equipped witha cd-rw-dvd
when 2 of my friends threw in their 2 cents worth.One says I should buy a cd-rw dvd-rw and that the 2 units should be installed in separate bays.
The other friend tells me to buy a dvd-rw only since this unit can also do what a cd-rw does.All of this has me totally confused.Maybe you can help in suggesting what I should buy
By the way,has Dell any adequate equipement on their computers(8250series)
Many thanks

[Budfred]

DVD burners will generally burn DVDs and CDs, so you don't need a DVD burner and CD burner. A CDRW/DVD does not burn DVDs, it only plays them. If you can afford it, I would go with the Sony DVD burner that will do -RW and +RW so that you don't have to worry about being stuck with a format that loses the format wars. I believe that is going for about $250. If money is tight, I would go with a CDRW/DVD or CDRW and separate DVD. If you want a DVD burner, skip the CDRW altogether and get a separate CDRom or DVDRom. Hope this makes sense.

As for Dell, most of their systems are adequate. The drawback for them is that they often contain proprietary hardware and don't give you full versions of software, so upgrading is difficult. Also, their ratings for customer service are going down and good service is what had distinguished them before.

Budfred