Laptops sold now don't include floppy drives and for the most part we don't miss them. There are occasions which may arise while traveling where you may wish that you did have access to a floppy drive. If you are running Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows then a floppy drive may be the only way to re-install your operating system or re-boot when problems arise.
Floppy drives are all pretty basic in what they can do but there are models available which can be used with both Mac and Windows; and even models which have more than just floppy drive capabilities.
Floppy drives are all pretty basic in what they can do but there are models available which can be used with both Mac and Windows; and even models which have more than just floppy drive capabilities.
1. LaCie USB Floppy Disk Drive for PC & Mac
The Lacie Floppy drive is reasonably priced and can be used with both Windows and Mac. It weighs 0.62 lbs (280 g) and has a transfer rate of 250 - 500 kbps. This floppy drive doesn't require any drivers - just plug it in and you are ready to go. You don't have to worry about an external power source either. It is compatible with 2HD and 2DD floppy disks.
2. Targus Slimline USB External Floppy Drive
This external floppy drive from Targus is compatible with Windows 2000, ME, XP and Vista. It can also be used with Mac OS 9 and up. Dimensions: 0.7” x 4.1” x 5.5” and weighs 9 oz. It can be used with either USB 1.1 or 2.0. 720k/1.44MB Windows disks and 1.4MB Mac format disks can be read and written to.3. IO Magic DataStation
This external floppy drive also includes a 7-in-1 media reader which increases the benefits it provides. It is only compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP though. It does work with 720KB and 1.44MB floppy disks. The media reader supports CompactFlash, IBM Micro Drive, MMC, SM, SD, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro.4. Iomega Floppy Plus 7-in-1 USB External Card Reader
The Iomega external floppy drive also incorporates a 7-in-1 media card reader. It supports IBM Micro Drive, CF I and II, MMC, SD, SM, and both Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro. This external floppy drive is compatible with both Mac and PC computers. Dimensions: 5.5" x 4.25" x 1" (LxWxH). Weight: 0.75 lbs. It has a 1 year warranty.5. Q-stor 1.44MB External USB Floppy Drive Black
This external floppy drive weighs 0.68 lbs and can be used with both Windows and Mac computers. The Q-stor external floppy drive also has an enhanced power save mode which helps conserve laptop battery power. It has an ultra-slim design and has been constructed with a high impact casing to make it more durable and shock resistant.6. Apricorn 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE USB BUS
The Apricorn external floppy drive weighs 9 oz. and is 0.7"H x 4"W x 5.6"D. It works with both Mac and Windows computers and has 1 year warranty. This external floppy drive has an ultra-slim design and can read and write 1.4MB/720K floppy disks. The Apricorn external floppy drive has an eject button and status indicator light. You don't even have to reboot your notebook before attaching or when finished with the external floppy drive.7. Mad Dog Multimedia Mad Dog Dominator USB External Floppy Drive
The Mad Dog external floppy drive is 4" W x 0.7" H x 5.5" L and weighs 0.5 lbs. It also includes a 21" USB cable. It has 2 year warranty which is longer than many other companies offer. It can be used with any 3.5 floppy disk. It works with both Mac and PC. This external floppy drive also works with USB 1.1 and 2.0.8. SmartDisk USB Floppy Disk Drive 2x PC Mac Titanium
The SmartDisk external floppy drive works with both Mac and PC computers and requires no external power source. Dimensions: .929" x 4.075" x 6.083" (W x H x D). It weighs 1.2 lbs. This external floppy drive is a little heavier than some other brands.9. Universal Buslink USB 3.5in 1.44MB Floppy Drive
The Buslink external floppy drive has a 6' USB cable, weighs 3 lbs and has a 1 year warranty. It will work with both Mac and PC computers. This is one of the heaviest external floppy drives. It is 1.5 inches high and 8 inches deep.10. Teac 3.5in 1.44MB Multi-Color USB Interface iMac/Windows Drivers
The Teac external floppy gives you an added option of being able to change the color with snap-on color inserts. It works with both Mac and Windows. Dimensions: 5.93" D x 4.08" W x .93" H and weighs .68 lbs. The USB cable is 11.8" and works with USB 1.1. This external floppy drive is not compatible with Windows NT or 95.