CD / DVD drive for Mac Mini

[wfriedwald]

I have two external CD / DVD drives. Both still work (more or less) with my older Mac Pro (vintage 2008).

One (standard, not bluRay) will allow me to play (and extract) a standard audio CD. But NOT a DVD!

The other (bluRay) will not mount anything on the Mini, neither a CD nor a DVD.

so my question: can anyone recommend a good external CD / DVD drive that they know will work with the Mac Mini?

w

 

[Bartjes]

I bought this one (not currently available) :

Super Slim Drive odp95 DVD-Laufwerk, koiiko® Super Drive Slim DVD Laufwerk/Brenner/Rewriter/Brenner DVD-Laufwerk mit externe Slot & USB 3.0 Externes CD-Laufwerk für Apple MacBook Pro, Air iMac, Laptops, PCs, Desktops und Notebooks

For 30 Euros i think. I rarely use it and that's why i didn't want to spent much money on it. But it does the job.

 

[wfriedwald]

oh thanks! I see that most current DVD/CD drives are those super slim dealies meant to be used with laptops. Since this is for a desktop, I generally prefer a full-sized unit with its own AC power cord.

I'm still transferring / ripping CDs & DVDs, so these drives do get a lot of use from me - need something sturdy and don't necessarily care how slim it might be.

thanks!

w

 

[Bartjes]

oh thanks! I see that most current DVD/CD drives are those super slim dealies meant to be used with laptops. Since this is for a desktop, I generally prefer a full-sized unit with its own AC power cord.

I'm still transferring / ripping CDs & DVDs, so these drives do get a lot of use from me - need something sturdy and don't necessarily care how slim it might be.

thanks!

w

Yes, i do own an internal sata DVD - Blu Ray writer for Mac Pro and i considered buying a external enclosure with independant power supply to use it on the Mac Mini but it would have cost me a lot more. This may be worth the investment if you use it alot.

 

[opeter]

I am using a combination of a cheap chinese USB 3.0 case with an LiteOn DS-8ACSH DVD-RW inside.

The price of this "mix" is about 20 EUR.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"The other (bluRay) will not mount anything on the Mini, neither a CD nor a DVD."

IMPORTANT QUESTION:
Do you have a "USB Y cable" to use with this?

That's a USB cable that is literally "in the shape of a Y". It has a single USB port on one end, and TWO USB ports on the other.

The end with 2 ports connects to the computer.
The end with 1 port connects to the drive.

It's made like this because some drives need more USB power than a single port can provide.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

.

 

[niteflyr]

I've had several. This one has been the most reliable.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3UBDRW16/

 

[Partron22]

I'm still transferring / ripping CDs & DVDs, so these drives do get a lot of use from me - need something sturdy and don't necessarily care how slim it might be.

Good Lord! Why such a late start? My 4.5 cubic feet of CD's has been sitting in the basement since 2010, A couple cubic feet of LP's too. You've come close to missing the window!

 

[jerwin]

I have two external CD / DVD drives. Both still work (more or less) with my older Mac Pro (vintage 2008).

One (standard, not bluRay) will allow me to play (and extract) a standard audio CD. But NOT a DVD!

The other (bluRay) will not mount anything on the Mini, neither a CD nor a DVD.

so my question: can anyone recommend a good external CD / DVD drive that they know will work with the Mac Mini?

w

Are you sure that these drives are getting enough power? Do these drives require drivers that have not yet been installed on your mini?