Building a new PC. Budget only allows for one optical drive right now. Should I get a CD-RW (to burn CDs) or a DVD-ROM (to watch movies)? Both are about $70.

Get the CD-RW. You can back up data, burn music CDs from MP3s, and make copies of games. DVD drives are falling fast in price — wait 6 months and get a combo drive.

Agree with Eve. Combo drives (CD-RW + DVD-ROM) are already available for about $90. Might be worth the extra $20.