Does it matter which external optical drive I buy?

[deckeda]

This would be shared between 2 Mac laptops, one with USB 3 and one without (the one without could use FW but I don't pay for that interface here.)

I was gonna get a replacement for my Late '08 MBP but figured why not get one to use with my new one as well?

Portability's not important; I wouldn't turn down a more robust 5.25" drive.

[kj4btkljv]

You don't say if you need to burn DVD disks or not, but I think it's pretty hard to find a modern burner that ISN'T a DVD burner.

So...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MRSSDSDL8X/

And if you're toying with the idea of burning a BluRay:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MRSSBDR6X/

Jeff

[jdc]

Portability sounds a little portent if you plan on swapping it between all those machines?

How much use does it get?

You know you can "share" optical drives over the network via OS X -- even one in a pc

[cbelt3]

No because you won't use it. Like , ever.

[deckeda]

jdc I need a refresher on Remote Disk sharing. The optical drive never worked long enough in my Late '08 MBP to know if it could send to another machine. Couldn't do it from my old mini; I suppose it wasn't compatible.

I'd be interested in ripping DVDs and burning CDs from whatever machine. Pretty sure the wife's PC laptop has an optical drive.

[GuyGene]

cbelt3 wrote:
No because you won't use it. Like , ever.

About the time I don't think I need one, today a friend gave me a DVD to watch. One he made. No way for me to watch in on me Mac without wifi sharing, etc. I'll just use me old TV. Anyway, sometimes ye do need to use one.

[mattkime]

cbelt3 wrote:
No because you won't use it. Like , ever.

This is accurate for me. I also have a usb floppy drive!

[deckeda]

deckeda wrote:
jdc I need a refresher on Remote Disk sharing. The optical drive never worked long enough in my Late '08 MBP to know if it could send to another machine. Couldn't do it from my old mini; I suppose it wasn't compatible.

I'd be interested in ripping DVDs and burning CDs from whatever machine. Pretty sure the wife's PC laptop has an optical drive.

Found it: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT5287

Remote Disk sharing isn't an option. I'd want to burn disks and generally use it like an attached drive but it's more limited than that. A lot more limited.

[sekker]

I would recommend an inexpensive blu Ray reader if this is for occasional use if you want to rip your BR for home media center streaming.

[OWC Larry]

It does to us.

looks like got the gen questions answered, etc...