Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

What external CD / DVD drives are you using?

B

bingefeller

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 25, 2007
619
43
Northern Ireland
I'm considering getting an external CD/DVD drive for my MBA and was wondering what everyone else is using?

All I need mine for is ripping CDs to iTunes - I don't rip or watch DVDs.

I had a look on amazon.co.uk and lots of makes came up that I'd never heard of. Brands such as VicTsing, Version Tech, and Tabiger. They seem to get good reviews but I've never heard of these companies ever.
 
For that kind of use, I'd go AppleSuperdrive(I have no experience with one mind you). I've got a samsung SE-506CB that I use for my DVD and blu-ray needs. It's hooked up to a hell, I mean dell laptop. The drive has performed well, no complaints(Windows 10 is a different story).

If you don't go the Apple route, I Think Pioneer drives are getting good reviews as of late; albeit a little pricey.

Best
 
  • Like
Reactions: arefbe
Pretty much any external DVD drive will work. I use an lg blueray drive with my new MBP with no issues
 
I have an external LaCie CD/DVD burner and a Pioneer Blu-ray reader (that also functions as a CD/DVD burner). I think each was about US$25 from Amazon.com when I purchased them years ago.

Not sure if the brand matters these days, these are commodity accessories.

Based on your proposed usage, it sounds like pretty much anything could work.
 
Bart Kela said:
I have an external LaCie CD/DVD burner and a Pioneer Blu-ray reader (that also functions as a CD/DVD burner). I think each was about US$25 from Amazon.com when I purchased them years ago.

Not sure if the brand matters these days, these are commodity accessories.

Based on your proposed usage, it sounds like pretty much anything could work.
Click to expand...
I use a cheap Samsung I got on Amazon and it's fine.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I have a generic PC liton drive that I connect with a SATA to USB converter and a molex to SATA Power power supply.

DVD drive - $30
SATA to USB 3.0 - $30
Molex Power + adapter to SATA Power - $15

The plus side is I can plug an external hard drives into my Mac. For example, I recovered files from a G-Drive, who's fire-wire interface is no longer supported, by taking the internal drive out and plugging it in with the SATA to USB harness.
 
I have an older USB LG DVD burner. I'm sure it cost less than $40 when I bought it. I also have a newer LG Blu-ray burner. Both work well, though neither is used much.
 
I pulled the drive out of the wife's old Acer laptop and bought a cheap SATA to USB enclosure for it. Works perfectly.
 
One thing I would check for is the power source. I would look for a drive that can be powered by a single USB port. Some external drives have to be powered by two ports, and it's difficult to do that on the Macbook Air due to the location of the USB ports.
 
I use an LG slim DVD/CD/R/RW. Only cost $26 and powers off of the USB port. Small and light and works nicely. Just plug and play.
 
pika2000 said:
One thing I would check for is the power source. I would look for a drive that can be powered by a single USB port. Some external drives have to be powered by two ports, and it's difficult to do that on the Macbook Air due to the location of the USB ports.
Click to expand...

Some of the 2 port drives will work on the master plug, it is a matter of power usage.
 
Don't buy the Apple USB Superdrive. It's terrible, and breaks pretty soon after purchase. Lots of complaints on it in Apple forums, amazon reviews, and here.

I bought the Transcend 8x Portable CD/DVD Writer. It seems to be the least expensive and works perfectly. It's thin and light. Although it comes with the dual-USB plugs, it works fine with just one USB plugged in. No complaints so far.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1076356-REG/transcend_ts8xdvds_k_8x_dvd_rw_drive.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back