Does a Lenovo laptop have a disk drive? Let's understand the details

If you are planning to purchase or already own a device from Lenovo, it is important to understand: 90% of models released after 2018 do not have a built-in drive. Exceptions include individual series for the corporate segment and budget solutions for specific tasks. In this article, we will look at how to determine the presence of a drive, which models still support DVD, and what to do if you need a drive, but it is not included in the package.

Why modern laptops Lenovo lost disk drives?

Interestingly, even in the corporate line ThinkPad, where compatibility with older equipment is traditionally valued, drives have disappeared by 2020. The latest models with a disk drive are ThinkPad T480 And L480, but they were also offered with an optional module that could be ordered separately.

⚠️ Attention: If you see the phrase “without ODD” in the laptop’s characteristics (Optical Disk Drive), this means there is no disk drive. This mark is often found in specifications on the official website Lenovo.

What models Lenovo still equipped with a disk drive in 2026?

To date, built-in drives are available in only three device categories:

1. Budget laptops for the office: For example, Lenovo V15 or V14 in basic configurations. These models are aimed at the public sector and small businesses, which also use disks for document management.
2. Educational laptops: Some modifications Lenovo 100e or 300e for schools can be equipped with a DVD drive upon special order.
3. Old stocks: 2017-2019 models (Ideapad 330, ThinkPad E580) are sometimes also found on sale with disk drives.

It is important to understand that even in these series the drive is not a standard component. Most often, its availability depends on the region of delivery and the specific assembly. For example, Lenovo V15 for the European market may not have a disk drive, while the same model for Asia is equipped with one.

How to check for a disk drive on your laptop Lenovo?

If you already own the device and are not sure whether it has a drive, there are several ways to find out:

1. External inspection: On the right or left side panel, look for a ~13 cm wide pull-out tray with an eject button. On new models, its place is often taken by a second USB port or card reader.
2. Checking in BIOS: Reboot the laptop while holding F2 or Del. In the section Main or Information item should be displayed Optical Drive.
3. Windows Device Manager:

   Пуск → Диспетчер устройств → DVD и CD-ROM дисководы

   If the partition is empty, there is no drive.

For models ThinkPad There is a proprietary method: type on the command line:

wmic cdrom get name

If the answer is “No Instance(s) Available”, there is no disk drive in the system.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (eg Lenovo S145) the space for the disk drive can be covered with a plug that simulates its presence. Don't confuse it with a real drive!

What to do if there is no disk drive, but you need one?

If your laptop Lenovo is not equipped with a built-in drive, but working with disks is necessary; there are four proven solutions:

• 🔌 External USB drive: Devices from Lenovo (For example, Lenovo USB DVD Burner), ASUS or LG connect via USB-A and support writing/reading DVD±RW. Price: from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles.
• 💻 Network drive: If your office has a PC with a drive, you can share it over the network and connect to it from your laptop via \\computer_name\DVD.
• ☁️ Cloud services: To install software from disks (for example, 1C or AutoCAD) many vendors offer to download an ISO image using a license key.
• 🔧 Internal Drive Installation: For some models (eg ThinkPad E15) you can purchase an additional module Lenovo Optical Drive Bay and replace the second battery or HDD with it.

The most versatile option is an external drive. When choosing, pay attention to: write speed (minimum 8x for DVD), M-DISC support (for long-term storage) and food (some models require two USB ports).

Models Lenovo with disk drive: complete list (2015–2026)

Below is an updated list of laptops Lenovo, in which the drive is found in at least one of the configurations. Check the availability of the drive when purchasing - even in these series it may be optional!

* - B V14/V15 2026, the drive is retained only in configurations with a hard drive (HDD) and for Asian/Middle Eastern markets.

Alternatives to a floppy drive: when can you really do without it?

Before spending money on an external drive, evaluate whether you really need it. In 80% of cases, tasks traditionally solved using disks have more modern analogues:

• 🎮 Installing games: Services Steam, EPIC Games or GOG offer digital versions even for older games (e.g. GTA San Andreas or The Sims 2).
• 📀 Watching movies: DVDs can be converted to digital format using HandBrake or MakeMKV, and then store it on your hard drive.
• 📄 Working with documents: Programs like 1C or ConsultantPlus They have long switched to cloud versions or installation via the Internet.
• 🔧 System Restore: Instead of a Windows boot disk, use a USB flash drive (created via Media Creation Tool from Microsoft).

If you need to copy data from an old disk, but don’t have a drive at hand, use mail services (for example, SDEK or Boxberry offer rental of external drives at distribution points).

The future of optical drives: is it worth the comeback?

Experts agree that disk drives in laptops won't come back. Even in the enterprise segment, where they lasted the longest, the transition to cloud solutions and USB-Type-C accelerated their disappearance. However, there are two scenarios in which optical drives may retain niche relevance:

1. Public sector and defense industry: Some departments still have regulations that require data to be stored on physical media with the ability to be written on the fly.
2. Audiophiles and collectors: For playback Audio CD in high quality or working with rare media (for example, SACD) premium-class external drives (for example, Plextor PX-891SAU) remain in demand.

B Lenovo confirmed that new models (starting from 2026) will not even support optional disk drives. Instead, the company is betting on: universal docking stations (For example, Lenovo ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 Dock), which allow you to connect external drives via USB-C, and cloud solutions for business (partnership with Microsoft Azure And Google Workspace).