Does it matter which external optical drive I buy?

[DRR]

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.

[particleman]

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/41005...ith_M-Disc

[deckeda]

Good info, thanks guys.