+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: Does it matter which external optical drive I buy? (/showthread.php?tid=173621)
Pages:
1
2
Re: Does it matter which external optical drive I buy? - DRR - 11-24-2014
I wouldn't recommend a more robust 5.25" option if you're sharing between multiple computers.
A usb drive is great because it's one plug, the USB connector. When you get into the 5.25" drives it's not only a data connector, it's the power brick also. It sounds like a little thing but it greatly detracts from convenience, for me. I have both a USB option and an older 5.25" DVD-RW and the 5.25" almost never gets used.
As for specific drive recommendations, I picked up a used Dell USB portable and it's been fine. All I need is occasional DVD reading capabilities, I don't need blu-ray at all. It was $20 on ebay.
Re: Does it matter which external optical drive I buy? - particleman - 11-24-2014
I picked up a cheap LG external DVD burner for $20. Works fine on my new iMac and only needs one port. I tried the Apple USB Superdrive first but it failed out of the box.
It has a tray but when using it in the desk, the tray is supported when ejected. So, even though it is a laptop drive, it is fairly easy to snap the disc into place. It works with Yosemite just fine. The only issue is having to do a manual eject of the drive tray when no disc is present. Other than that, hitting eject in the OS kicks the tray out.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/410056/GP50NB40_Super_Multi_Portable_DVD_Rewriter_with_M-Disc
Re: Does it matter which external optical drive I buy? - deckeda - 11-24-2014
Good info, thanks guys.