One of the things that sets most netbooks apart from higher priced ultraportables is the lack of an optical disc drive. Sure, there are plenty of ways to install software and operating systems or enjoy music and movies without a disc drive. But sometimes life is a lot easier if you do have one — especially if you want to backup your media to DVDs.

And that’s where external optical disc drives come in. The Asus SDRW-08D1S-U external slim DVD±R/RW is one of the more attractive options. Not only is this DVD burner slim and light, but it can also be powered via a USB cable. That means you don’t have to carry around a USB cable to connect it to your netbook and a separate power cord to plug into the wall. The drive can burn 8X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-R and 5X DVD-RAM media and access 8X DVD-ROM and 5X DVD-RAM discs. It comes with CyberLink disc burning software and is compatible with Windows NT, 2000, XP, and Vista.

The folks at Asus were kind enough to provide me with one SDRW-08D1S-U disc drive to give away to a lucky reader. If you don’t win, you can pick one up yourself for between $65 and $80  from a number of retailers including Buy.com, Amazon and Newegg.

To enter, just answer the poll question after the break. This contest will end in one week. But we’ll have another giveaway set to start next Wednesday, so make sure to check back then!

Fine print: This contest is only open to entrants in the US. Entrants located outside of the United States are barred from entering, as are close personal friends or family members of Brad Linder or employees of Asus. If you’ve won another prize from Liliputing within the past 60 days please sit this one out as you’re also disqualified from winning.

Please make sure to enter a valid email address which I will use to contact the winner. If the winner doesn’t respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be randomly selected.