OEM drives are more poorly supported with firmware updates than the brand names are. No installation disc is required, but the drive should come with some recording software unless you already have a version that works for you. Those are the only two risks with OEM drives. Brand name drives at some of the large retailers fall in the price range you mention, and a decent CD-RW/DVD-ROM will also allow your sister to view DVDs on her computer if you have playback software. Windows Media Player ought to work.
I have the most experience with LG, Lite-on, NEC, Pioneer, and Plextor; and I like them all. Ratings of drives generally covers the drive speed. I don't care about speed at all. What I consider important is: 1) low error rates with a wide variety of MID codes; 2) uniform performance over time--the drive shows the same error profiles for the same discs an hour, a day, a week, and a month later; 3) regular and consistent firmware support for a drive even a year after it has been released. This last item is getting more unusual. Branded drives are often good choices, too, if you are careful. In the past I avoided Sony drives because of lack of firmware support even a month after their release, and firmware support was limited to Japanese discs, particularly Sony. Memorex drives are often LG, Lite-on, or NEC; and their Nero software bundle is the most complete if you like Nero. Memorex sources from a number of different suppliers, and their drives tend to be the most compatible because they work with so many different MID codes. HP uses Lite-on drives also, but the drive has to be in the HP computer in order to update firmware. Since I swap drives around all the time, this can be a pain. I don't have much experience with Toshiba or Panasonic drives, but in the past Toshiba either didn't issue firmware updates or did so seldom to notice. These days Lite-on appears to be making drives for BenQ, Sony, Memorex, Plextor, and many others. If you don't need a thorough instruction manual, Lite-on would be a good choice. If you want updated software as well as an easy-to-understand manual, look for sales on BenQ, Memorex, or Plextor.
The Lg drives I got a couple of months ago I'm quite impressed with the software has the automatic update for firmware for the drives & they're real quiet. I also have the Plextor still my favorite Benq and Memorex.The LG's I picked up at Best Buy for $42.00.Chris
Two burners I'd stay away from from My own experiences are the Toshiba and Samsung.
