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.