Best non touch screen laptops with dvd drive: top 7 picks (2026)

A best non touch screen laptops with dvd drive search points to a shrinking shelf: most new laptops dropped the optical drive years ago. This guide rounds up seven real laptops that pair a plain non touch display with a built in dvd drive and shows how to confirm the exact listing online before you buy.

Quick verdict: the best non touch screen laptops with dvd drive

The Acer Aspire E 15 E5-576G is the strongest all round pick in this guide: a 15.6 inch full HD non touch screen, an eighth generation Core i5, 8GB of memory and a 256GB solid state drive sit next to a built in dvd burner, so it covers office work, media playback and disc burning in one machine.

If the Acer is out of stock, the HP ProBook 450 G6 is the best business alternative, with a full HD anti glare screen, a 256GB solid state drive and a spill resistant keyboard. The Lenovo ThinkPad E570 is the toughest pick of the seven, while the HP 15-da is the simplest choice for a big screen and basic tasks. Every pick below is an older model, because no current mainstream laptop still ships a built in dvd drive, so check the exact listing for screen type, drive type and storage before you buy.

Best non touch screen laptops with dvd drive: comparison table

The table below puts the seven picks side by side so you can compare screen, processor, memory, storage, drive type and battery at a glance. Every model here is a non touch configuration with a built in dvd drive. Where a figure is not published for that configuration, the cell says Not stated.

How we selected these laptops

Selection started with two hard filters and nothing else got through: the screen had to be a plain non touch panel, and the machine had to carry a built in dvd drive. Models that only offered an external drive, or that shipped touch only, were left out of the main seven and are covered separately below.

That strict filter is the reason every pick in this guide is an older model. Laptop makers removed optical drives to make machines thinner and lighter, and touch screens became the standard on the few 15 inch machines that kept a drive bay. The seven laptops below are the ones that still meet both conditions in a configuration you can actually buy, and each one is judged on screen, processor, memory, storage, battery, weight and everyday use.

Why a built in dvd drive is now a legacy feature

Laptop makers dropped the optical drive for a simple reason: a 9.5 mm drive bay takes up space that a bigger battery or a thinner body can use instead. Streaming, USB sticks and downloads replaced discs for most buyers, so the drive became a niche feature kept only on a few business and value machines.

The drive still matters for a real group of buyers. People with disc based software, training videos, music collections and photo archives need a drive that reads and writes discs without an extra accessory. If that is your situation, the honest answer is an older laptop with the drive built in, or a current laptop paired with an external drive, and this guide covers both paths.

Why every pick is a non touch screen

The keyword asks for a non touch screen, and that request is easy to respect once you know where to look. Touch panels cost more, add glare and add weight, and many buyers who work long hours at a desk simply do not want them. Business lines and older value lines shipped most of their machines with plain panels.

Every pick in this guide is a configuration with a non touch screen only. Some of these model families also sold a touch version, so the screen type must be confirmed on the exact listing: look for the words non touch or the absence of touch in the spec sheet, and treat a listing that does not name the screen type as a reason to ask the seller first.

What we looked for in each laptop

Each laptop was judged on the same six points so the seven picks can be compared fairly. Screen size and resolution came first, because a 15.6 inch panel is the natural home of a dvd drive, and a full HD panel is far easier on the eyes than an HD panel over a long working day.

Processor, memory and storage came next: 8GB of memory and solid state storage make the biggest difference to everyday speed, while a hard drive is acceptable only if the laptop is used for light tasks. Battery size, weight and the dvd drive itself completed the check, along with the practical question of whether the machine is still easy to buy in the configuration described.

The seven laptops in detail

Each laptop below gets the same treatment: who it suits, what its screen and hardware offer, where it falls short, and when to buy it or skip it. Specs are the maker listed figures for the configuration covered, and where a figure is not published for that configuration the table says Not stated rather than guessing.

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-576G: best overall

The Acer Aspire E 15 E5-576G is the best overall pick because it balances the whole checklist: a 15.6 inch full HD non touch screen, an eighth generation Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, a 256GB solid state drive and a built in dvd burner, plus a dedicated GeForce MX150 graphics chip for light photo work and older games.

Its screen is the strongest of the value picks, with a 1920 by 1080 panel that keeps text sharp and video clear, and the backlit keyboard makes evening work comfortable. The machine weighs about 2.4 kg, which is heavy by current standards but normal for a 15.6 inch laptop with an optical drive, and it offers a good spread of ports including USB-C, two USB 3.0 ports, USB 2.0 and HDMI. The solid state drive keeps start up and app loading quick, and the dvd burner reads and writes discs without any extra hardware.

Buy it if you want one machine that handles office work, media and discs together. Skip it if you need a light laptop for daily travel, or if you need a current model with a warranty that covers a new machine, because this is an older model and stock varies by seller. Confirm the listing names the E5-576G configuration with the full HD non touch panel and the 256GB solid state drive.

HP 15-da: best HP pick

The HP 15-da is the simplest HP pick in this guide: a 15.6 inch HD non touch screen, an eighth generation Core i5, 8GB of memory, a 1TB hard drive and a built in dvd burner, in a clean silver chassis that weighs about 2.04 kg. It is the right shape for a buyer who wants a big screen, a dvd drive and a familiar HP keyboard.

Its strengths are size and simplicity. The 15.6 inch display gives documents and video room to breathe, the full size keyboard includes a numeric keypad, and the 41 Wh battery is a standard size for this class. The dvd burner handles discs for software installs, backups and media, and the machine runs quiet office software and web browsing without strain.

Buy it if you want a straightforward big screen laptop for home or office use. Skip it if screen sharpness matters to you, because the 1366 by 768 HD panel is noticeably softer than a full HD panel, and skip it if you want fast storage, because the 1TB hard drive is slower than a solid state drive. Check the listing for the HD non touch panel and the dvd burner, since some HP 15-da configurations shipped without a drive.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000: best Dell pick

The Dell Inspiron 15 3000, sold as the 3573, is the most affordable Dell pick in this guide: a 15.6 inch HD anti glare non touch screen, a Pentium Gold processor, 4GB of memory, a 500GB hard drive and a built in dvd burner. It is a basic machine, and it is honest about that, which makes it a sound choice for light use.

Its strengths are its value and its practical design. The anti glare screen cuts reflections under office lighting, the keyboard is full size with a numeric keypad, and the 40 Wh battery matches the class standard. The dvd burner reads and writes discs, and the machine handles email, documents, web browsing and video playback well enough for a second computer or a shared family laptop.

Buy it if you need the cheapest workable laptop with a dvd drive and you only run light tasks. Skip it if you multitask heavily or edit photos, because 4GB of memory and a Pentium processor will feel slow under load, and skip it if you want a sharp screen, because the HD panel is the weakest of the seven. Confirm the exact configuration, since the Inspiron 15 3000 name covers many processors and some listings lack a drive.

Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15: best Lenovo pick

The Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15 is the best Lenovo value pick here: a 15.6 inch HD anti glare non touch screen, an eighth generation Core i5, 8GB of memory, a 1TB hard drive and a built in dvd burner. It pairs a capable processor with a large hard drive, which suits buyers who store a lot of files and discs on the machine itself.

Its strengths are everyday speed and storage room. The Core i5 handles office software, browsing with many tabs and light media editing without strain, and the 1TB hard drive holds a large photo, music or video collection. The anti glare screen is comfortable under bright light, the keyboard is full size, and the dvd burner covers installs, backups and disc playback.

Buy it if you want a capable processor and a big hard drive in a laptop with a dvd drive. Skip it if you want a sharp screen, because the HD panel is softer than full HD, and skip it if battery life matters most, because the 30 Wh battery is the smallest of the seven. Check the listing for the non touch panel and the dvd burner, since the IdeaPad 330 family also sold touch and drive free versions.

Asus VivoBook 15 X542UA: best Asus pick

The Asus VivoBook 15 X542UA is the lightest pick in this guide at about 1.9 kg, and it pairs that lighter body with a 15.6 inch HD non touch screen, an eighth generation Core i5, 8GB of memory, a 1TB hard drive and a built in dvd burner. It suits a buyer who carries the laptop around the house or the office and still wants a drive.

Its strengths are portability and balance. The machine is noticeably easier to carry than the other 15.6 inch picks, the Core i5 keeps everyday software responsive, and the 1TB hard drive gives room for a large media library. The 38 Wh battery is a standard size for this class, and the dvd burner reads and writes discs for installs and backups.

Buy it if you want the lightest laptop in this roundup that still has a built in dvd drive. Skip it if screen sharpness is a priority, because the HD panel is softer than full HD, and skip it if you want solid state storage, because the 1TB hard drive is slower to start and load apps. Confirm the X542UA configuration on the listing, since Asus sold this family in several screen and storage variants.

HP ProBook 450 G6: best business pick

The HP ProBook 450 G6 is the best business pick in this guide: a 15.6 inch full HD anti glare non touch screen, an eighth generation Core i5, 8GB of memory, a 256GB solid state drive and a built in dvd burner, in a chassis built for office life. It is the pick for a buyer who wants a work laptop that still plays discs.

Its strengths are the screen, the storage and the build. The full HD panel keeps text sharp through long documents, the solid state drive keeps start up and app loading quick, and the 45 Wh battery is the largest of the business picks here. The spill resistant keyboard and the metal reinforced chassis are practical for a machine that travels between desks, and the dvd burner covers software installs and disc archives.

Buy it if you want a business laptop with a sharp screen, fast storage and a dvd drive. Skip it if you want the lightest machine, because at about 2.0 kg it is heavier than current ultrabooks, and skip it if you need a current model, because the ProBook 450 G6 is an older generation. Confirm the listing names the full HD non touch panel and the dvd burner, since some ProBook configurations shipped without a drive.

Lenovo ThinkPad E570: best durable pick

The Lenovo ThinkPad E570 is the toughest pick in this guide: a 15.6 inch full HD anti glare non touch screen, a seventh generation Core i7, 8GB of memory, a 256GB solid state drive and a built in dvd burner set into the removable Ultrabay. It suits a buyer who wants a ThinkPad keyboard and a sturdy chassis alongside a drive.

Its strengths are durability and typing comfort. The ThinkPad keyboard is the best in this roundup for long writing sessions, the chassis is built to military spec testing, and the full HD panel keeps text sharp. The 47 Wh battery is the largest of the seven, the solid state drive keeps the machine responsive, and the dvd drive sits in the Ultrabay, which means it can be swapped for a second battery or storage caddy on some configurations.

Buy it if you want the toughest laptop here and you type for hours each day. Skip it if you want a light machine, because at about 2.36 kg it is the heaviest pick, and skip it if you want a current processor, because the seventh generation Core i7 is older than the eighth generation chips in most of the other picks. Confirm the listing names the Ultrabay dvd drive and the full HD non touch panel.

Built in drive or external drive: what to check before you buy

A built in drive and an external drive both play discs, but they are not the same purchase. A built in drive travels with the laptop and needs no extra cable, while an external drive adds bulk and a second item to carry, so the listing must state which one you are getting.

That distinction matters most on older listings, where a seller may show a laptop photo with a drive slot that the actual configuration does not have. Read the spec sheet line for the optical drive, check the model suffix, and ask the seller if the listing is silent on the drive. A laptop bought for its drive is only useful if the drive is really in the machine.

Built in dvd drive: what the listing must say

A listing for a built in drive should name the drive type in plain words, usually DVD-RW or DVD burner, and it should appear in the spec sheet next to the storage and ports. If the listing only says optical drive in the title and never repeats it in the specs, treat that as a warning sign and ask the seller to confirm before you buy.

The drive bay itself is easy to spot in photos: a slim slot on the right edge of the chassis with a small eject button. Compare the photo with the spec sheet, because a stock photo may show a drive that the configuration on sale does not include. A seller who can confirm the drive in writing is worth more than a listing with a vague title.

External dvd drive: when it is the honest answer

An external dvd drive is the honest answer when no built in model fits your needs. Pair a current non touch laptop with a USB external dvd burner and you get disc reading and writing without giving up a thin body, a long battery or a current processor, and the drive can be shared between machines.

The trade off is portability: the external drive is a second item to carry, it needs a USB port and sometimes its own power, and it can be forgotten at home. It is still the right call if you only use discs a few times a month, or if you want a current laptop and a drive as a separate accessory. Never describe an external drive as built in, and never buy a laptop on the strength of a drive that is not in the machine.

Buying guide: how to pick the right one

Start with the screen and the drive, then let the rest of the hardware follow your workload. A full HD panel matters more than a faster chip for long reading sessions, and 8GB of memory plus solid state storage matter more than either for everyday speed.

That order keeps the decision simple. First confirm the panel is non touch and the drive is built in, then choose between a sharp full HD screen and a softer HD screen, then choose between fast solid state storage and roomy hard drive storage. The right laptop is the one that clears the first two checks and matches the way you actually work.

What the best non touch screen laptops with dvd drive still do well

These seven laptops still do the everyday jobs well, even though they are older models. Office documents, email, web browsing, video playback and disc burning all run comfortably on an eighth generation Core i5 with 8GB of memory, and the 15.6 inch screens give documents and spreadsheets room to breathe.

They also still do the disc jobs that newer laptops cannot do at all. Installing software from a disc, ripping a music collection, burning a backup and playing a dvd all work with a built in drive and no extra accessory. That is the whole point of this roundup: the newest laptop is not the best laptop if it cannot do the job you bought it for.

Screen, storage and battery: what to accept

Accept an HD panel only if your work is mostly short sessions and basic tasks, because a 1366 by 768 screen shows less text and softer video than a full HD panel. Choose a full HD panel if you read or write for hours, and treat the Acer, the ProBook and the ThinkPad as the sharp screen picks in this guide.

Accept a hard drive only if you store a large media collection and you can live with slower start up, because a 1TB hard drive holds far more than a 256GB solid state drive but loads apps more slowly. Accept a smaller battery only if the laptop mostly stays on a desk: the 30 Wh battery in the IdeaPad 330 is the smallest here, while the 47 Wh battery in the ThinkPad E570 is the largest.

How to confirm the screen type on the exact listing

Confirm the screen type on the exact listing, not on the model family page, because the same model name can cover touch and non touch versions. The spec sheet should state the panel type plainly: look for non touch, anti glare or the absence of any touch mention, and be wary of a listing that says touch in one place and says nothing in another.

Check the model suffix as well, because makers use suffixes to separate screen variants, and a single letter can mark the difference between a touch panel and a plain one. If the listing is unclear, ask the seller for the exact model number and the screen type in writing before you buy, and keep that message with your order.

Frequently asked questions

Three questions come up in almost every search for a non touch laptop with a dvd drive, and the honest answers are shorter than the marketing around them. The short version: built in drives are rare, they are not coming back, and an external drive is a sound fallback.

Do any new laptops still ship with a dvd drive?

No current mainstream laptop ships with a built in dvd drive. Makers removed the drive bay to make machines thinner and lighter. The laptops in this guide are older models still sold as new old stock or as renewed units, and that is the honest state of the market.

That does not make them a bad buy. An older laptop with a drive does the disc jobs a new laptop cannot do, and the eighth generation processors in most of these picks still handle office work well. The trade off is age: check the warranty, the battery condition and the exact configuration before you buy, and expect a heavier machine than a current ultrabook.

Can I add a dvd drive to a laptop that lacks one?

Yes, and the easy way is a USB external dvd burner, which plugs into any laptop with a spare USB port and reads and writes discs without opening the machine. External drives are light, cheap to replace and easy to share between computers, and they work with Windows and most other systems without extra software.

You cannot add a built in drive to a laptop that was never designed for one, because the chassis has no bay, no connector and no mounting points. A few older business laptops let you swap the Ultrabay or drive caddy, but that only works on models built with a removable bay. For any current thin laptop, an external drive is the only practical answer.

Is a non touch screen better for office work?

A non touch screen is better for office work if you type all day and rarely tap the display. A plain panel costs less, shows less glare under office lighting and never registers an accidental touch from a sleeve or a palm, which keeps long documents and spreadsheets free of stray taps.

A touch screen is better if you sign documents, sketch or use the laptop as a tablet, and it is the standard on most 2 in 1 machines. For a desk bound laptop with a dvd drive, a non touch panel is the natural match: it keeps the machine simpler and the focus on the keyboard, which is where office work happens.

Conclusion

A non touch laptop with a dvd drive is a legacy purchase, but it is a sound one when discs are part of your work. The Acer Aspire E 15 E5-576G leads this guide for its sharp screen and fast storage, with the ProBook 450 G6 and ThinkPad E570 close behind. Confirm the screen type and the drive on the exact listing before you buy.