What is an external CD drive?

An external CD drive is a portable memory unit that can be plugged into a computer via USB drive or CD drive. It is a stand-alone magnetic disk, optical disc or solid state drive that plugs into the computer and is designed for portable use, with a compact design and set memory capability.

An external disk drive is designed to read and write data onto a source, in this case a source that can be moved and used on other devices not connected to the original source of the data. Eternal disk drives are also commonly used for storing back up files and memory in case of damage to the original file, namely USB drives.