11-24-2014, 02:15 PM
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.
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.