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Which external DVD for Mac Mini?

les24preludes

les24preludes

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 6, 2011
120
5
I have a new Mac Mini - no DVD reader/writer so need to get one. I'm in London UK. I can buy off amazon, ebay, whatever.

Need to know a good compatible external DVD - the usual Mac one seems to have a bad reputation for breaking down in posts I've read.

I'm assuming USB, but open to other ideas. I have bench power supplies so can arrange any kind of power supply needed.

Andy
 
I bought a Lenovo DVD external USB (Model 43N3264 $54.00 on sale but now $119.00)) when I had my Lenovo notebook, but it works just fine for the MacMini. Use it a lot, no issues for the last 6 months or so. Plenty of other less costly Externals to look at, and hold out a bit, and some may weigh in on this thread later on.

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-USB-DVD-Portable-Burner/dp/B0034CC9BE $119.99 USA

Sure you can get a good burner for 40.00 or so
 
Last edited:
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I am looking for the same, any other suggestions would be well received.
The only requirement I have is that it is Region free or at least reads both Region 1 & 2. I am going to use it with a MacBook Pro to rip DVD's for viewing on the computer.

Thanks. :)
 
les24preludes said:
I have a new Mac Mini - no DVD reader/writer so need to get one. I'm in London UK. I can buy off amazon, ebay, whatever.

Need to know a good compatible external DVD - the usual Mac one seems to have a bad reputation for breaking down in posts I've read.

I'm assuming USB, but open to other ideas. I have bench power supplies so can arrange any kind of power supply needed.

Andy
Click to expand...

love my LaCie d2...it may be more than you need, built like a tank, USB 2.0 and Firewire. I've had mine for about 5 years and use it alot, particularly now as I rip my dvd collection.
 
I got the ASUS DVD drive listed in my sig for only $27, works perfectly :D so far, no driver needed. Have read or played CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, and burned a data CD-R, but have not yet ripped or written a DVD. The drive came with a double USB cable in case necessary for enough power but it also works OK on the Mini with a single generic USB cable.

I was a little concerned the 2011 Mini no longer had an internal optical drive but since I infrequently use optical discs, driveless is acceptable, plus the external drive is inexpensive and easily replaced if it wears out or has a problem.

An extra $50 for the Apple DVD drive is not a lot of extra cash, but a couple of months ago I was in extreme "frugalista" mode. :eek:
 
I purchased the lowest end USB-DVD burner at a local PC store, works like a charm and is great! I don't use it particularly often however and you may have other needs. It's a samsung and is very nice.
 
Well, I went on ebay and bought a Samsung SE-S084, one of the older models which are a bit heavier than the new SE-S084F. It works fine with one USB connected, though the lead has twin USB connectors computer side.

So job done. Plenty of these Samsung drives around and they get good ratings.

Andy
 
les24preludes said:
I have a new Mac Mini - no DVD reader/writer so need to get one. I'm in London UK. I can buy off amazon, ebay, whatever.

Need to know a good compatible external DVD - the usual Mac one seems to have a bad reputation for breaking down in posts I've read.

I'm assuming USB, but open to other ideas. I have bench power supplies so can arrange any kind of power supply needed.

Andy
Click to expand...

i got a LG super multi dvd writer from amazon works a treat no probs so far is usb powered and has light scribe. had for while now think only paid about £20 for it. it's slim and sits nicely on my mini external hd
 
MiniStack

NewerTechnology is releasing a "MiniStack Max" that will have a DVD/Blu-Ray player, plus 4 TB of storage, plus I think a Flash Carb Reader and it will be a USB hub. I'm not sure of the release date, but I feel like something like that was already released earlier. (actually there's just a raft of Mini form factor HDDs)
 
Imhotep397 said:
NewerTechnology is releasing a "MiniStack Max" that will have a DVD/Blu-Ray player, plus 4 TB of storage, plus I think a Flash Carb Reader and it will be a USB hub. I'm not sure of the release date, but I feel like something like that was already released earlier. (actually there's just a raft of Mini form factor HDDs)
Click to expand...

Did you really resurrect a 6 month old thread to post about something that has a dozen or so threads about it already?
 
paulrbeers said:
Not a troll pointing out poor forum etiquette
Click to expand...

Assuming someone's seen the threads you're talking about when they haven't and then and having no reason to post other than to reprimand in a troll like fishing manner makes YOU a troll. (you wouldn't have seen any of the other threads if this thread came up in a Google search and the others did not troll)
 
Imhotep397 said:
Assuming someone's seen the threads you're talking about when they haven't and then and having no reason to post other than to reprimand in a troll like fishing manner makes YOU a troll. (you wouldn't have seen any of the other threads if this thread came up in a Google search and the others did not troll)
Click to expand...

This is my last post on this subject. Frankly we have now added 5 new messages to a thread that is 6 months old and have added little to no content to these forums beyond what was already available via the search function...

here's a link to Lifehacker's guide to forum etiquette:
http://lifehacker.com/5473859/basic-etiquette-for-email-lists-and-forums

You will notice you broke rules #1 and #2. #1 Old archives already discussed what you "added" to this thread and #2 talks about reviving old threads.
 
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