An IDE CD-ROM or DVD-ROM will also be useful, as most of today's software packages are supplied on CD as standard. It's also nice to listen to music CD's or watch a DVD once in a while too.

Reputable CD-ROM Brands: LG, LiteOn, Plextor, NEC, Phillips, Samsung, Sony

Variations available include:

CD-R

Compact Disk Recordable
Allows you to write your own data/music CD's using blank CD disks

CD-RW

Compact Disk Re-Writable
As above, but allows re-recording several times onto the same CD

DVD-ROM

Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory
A higher-capacity format than standard CD, usually used for Films

DVD-R / DVD-RW

Digital Versatile Disk Recordable / Re-Writable
As with CD, allows writing and re-writing to blank DVD disks

'Combo'

A CD or DVD drive that has any combination of these features built in to one unit.