Can I watch DVDs on my laptop with an external drive?

Yes, but you'll need DVD playback software. Windows doesn't include it natively. Free options like VLC work perfectly. macOS includes DVD Player app. Region coding still applies to commercial DVD discs.

Do external DVD drives work with Chromebooks?

Chrome OS has limited optical drive support. Basic data disc reading works, but DVD video playback and disc burning typically don't. For Chromebooks, consider ripping your media on another computer first.

Best External CD DVD Drives 2026