The drive comes with the pre-installed CyberLink Media Suite software so that you can perform basic operations on disks very quickly.
The MthsTec Ultra Slim external Blu-ray player and DVD burner combo drive offers up a fantastic value (and a host of features). It weighs 10 ounces and measures 5.9 x 5.6 x 0.6-inches, making it par for the course in the Blu-ray external drive world. Shop for drive external drive at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up.
The glossy side of the drive can be splotched easily.
A simple but very elegant and lightweight external drive is perfect if you need to perform the operations with various types of discs quickly.
detailed parameters- DVD - 8x
- CD - 24x
- DVD±R DL - 6x
- DVD±R - 8x
- CD - 24x
0.75 MB
- A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded corners
- Placed horizontally
- The disc tray is extendable
5.7' x 5.4' x 0.6'
0.44 pounds
1 year
The Buffer Under Run Free and Double OPC technologies help avoid writing errors and make the process more stable.
The provided software is suitable only for Windows.
This is a practicable external drive with a neat design. The Nero Essential software comes in the set. The device is ready for use almost right out of the box.
Best Mac Compatible External Hard Drive
detailed parameters- DVD - 8x
- CD - 24x
- DVD±R DL - 6x
- DVD±R - 8x
- CD - 24x
1 MB
- A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded corners
- Placed horizontally
- Extendable disc tray
5.8' x 5.6' x 0.6'
0. 57 pounds
1 year
The device supports the M-Disk format, so you can store your data as long as you need.
Sometimes you may need to press the button more than once to open the tray.
This ultra-thin and almost noiseless optical drive can be used not only with computers but also playback the data on the wide screen of your TV.
detailed parameters- DVD - 8x
- CD - 24x
- DVD±R DL - 6x
- DVD±R - 8x
- CD - 24x
0.75 MB
- A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with rounded edges
- Placed horizontally
- Extendable disc tray
5.6' x 5.4' x 0.6'
0.4 pounds
1 year
- DVD - 4x to 8x
- CD - 10x to 24x
- DVD - 5x to 8x
- CD - 16x to 24x
- A square-shaped external CD/DVD drive with a shimmering finish
- Top cover has a diamond pattern
- You can set this USB external CD drive either horizontally or vertically
- The disc tray is extendable.
1 year
Probably, it’s the best external DVD drive for Mac gadgets. This neat USB external CD drive is made of high-quality materials, it will be duly appreciated by the Apple users with no embedded DVD drive.
detailed parameters- DVD - 8x
- CD - 24x
- DVD - 6x to 8x
- CD - 16x to 24x
- An external DVD drive in a traditional Apple style, square with straight lines and rounded corners
- The housing is aluminum
- Placed horizontally
- No disc tray, it is a slot-loading drive.
1 year
Dell DW316
You Will Be Impressed
Dell really managed to surprise the users with the DW316 slim external DVD R/W drive. First of all, you will notice the simple but at the same time very graceful design of the drive. The upper part has a glossy black coating with a noticeable company logo in the center. You should just press the button and the disc tray pops out. Remember that the drive can only be used horizontally. This model offers both reading and burning for your CDs and DVDs at a fairly high speed. The DSB is 0.75 MB, so you will have quick access to all your information on the medium. To work with disks, you can use the pre-loaded CyberLink Media Suite or install additional software.
This external DVD drive is compact (only 0.6 inches thick) and quite lightweight (0.44 pounds). Thanks to that, you can use it both at home and on the go, especially taking into account the fact that the Dell DW316 is ready to work right out of the box.
You Can Forget About All These Wires
The drive is very easy to connect, you just need one cable with a USB 2.0 interface. The cable also acts as a power cable so there is no need for any additional batteries.
Height
Dell DW316: 0.55 in.
Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS: 0.6 in.
LG GP65NB60: 0.6 in.
ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U: 0.79 in.
Apple MD564LL/A: 0.67 in.
Key Specs
You won't have to worry about lengthy setups or stressful formatting procedures when you plug in the Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB because it's formatted for Mac and Windows right out of the packaging. Best portable external hard drive for mac video editing usb-c. Not only is this a great budget option, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB still comes with Seagate's great Dashboard software and a two-year subscription to Microsoft OneDrive with 200GB of storage.
Reading/writing
Details
Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS
The Most Usable Device
Talking about convenience, the external SE-218CB CD/DVD drive from Samsung is surely the champion. Every detail serves the purpose of your comfort. You will see at the first glance the slightly concaved top over the eject button. Thanks to it, you will easily and quickly find and press the button to remove or insert a disk when needed. The case also has 4 small rubber feet which reduce vibrations and prevent sliding on the smooth surface.
Helpful Software Comes in the Set
The Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS external DVD writer comes with a boot disk containing the Nero Essentials to install on your Windows system. As a result, you will have all the necessary tools for working with disks from the very beginning.
Additional Info
Buffer Memory
Best desktop for gaming. Dell DW316: 0.75 MB
Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS: 1 MB
LG GP65NB60: 0.75 MB
ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U: 1 MB
Apple MD564LL/A: 1 MB
Key Specs
Details
Reading/writing
External Disc Drive For Mac Best Buy
LG GP65NB60
Your Tiny Multimedia Assistant
This external drive from LG will really expand the boundaries of the disk media use. Let`s start with the design. The device has a stylish and elegant case with an ultra-thin profile of 0.6 inches and a matte black finishing. For sure, it will perfectly match other gadgets in your home.
It should be mentioned that the model works not only with computers or laptops but also with TVs. To enjoy watching videos or photos on a large screen, you just need to connect the drive using the USB cable. As a plus, the drive gets power via USB, so there is no need for other cables or batteries. The model works with CD, DVD+R, DVD-R, and rewritable disks. The maximum data transfer speed is 3.6 MB/s for CDs and 11.08 MB/s for DVDs. Thanks to all these, you are able to play, copy, or write information on the disk effortlessly.
This drive utilizes the Silent Play technology. Thanks to it, during the playback, the drive automatically determines multimedia type, adjusts the optimal reading speed, and reduces the noise. Don`t you think it is a great offer?
All Your Data Is Protected
The drive is compatible with the M-Disk technology so that you could save all your important information for a long time. This kind of disks are more durable and even in 10 years, all your data will be stored without distortion.
Additional Info
Weight
Dell DW316: 0.44 oz.
Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS: 0.75 oz.
LG GP65NB60: 0.4 oz.
ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U: 0.62 oz.
Apple MD564LL/A: 0.74 oz.
Key Specs
Details
Reading/writing
ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U
Drive Type
Asus portable DVD drive for laptops quickly and effortlessly burns and reads both CD and DVD discs. A wide range of features makes it an irreplaceable purchase for everyone. With the help of CyberLink software technology, you will easily write a disc with a movie or music you want to enjoy later. And the Disc Encryption technology is the way to protect your data from outsiders by using a password.
Speed
Design
A very stylish design of this Asus PC external DVD drive will surely draw your attention. Its diamond-cut design with a shimmering finish creates unmatched light effects on the top cover of the USB external CD drive. At the end of this external DVD writer review, we would like to stress that you will also receive a stand in the package. This stand will allow you to place your external DVD drive upright, thus saving some space on your desk.
Max. DVD Writing Speed
Dell DW316: 8 x
Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS: 8 x
LG GP65NB60: 8 x
ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U: 8 x
Apple MD564LL/A: 8 x
Details
Key Specs
Reading/writing
Apple MD564LL/A
Drive Type
Speed
Design
The same as any other Apple device, this external CD/DVD drive is gracefully minimalistic. Straight lines, rounded corners, cold metal, and no external moving parts. Everything unnecessary was taken away, only the functionally useful parts were left. Apple USB Superdrive (MD564LL/A) will be a perfect companion to your MacBook or iMac. You will not have to worry about the lost cord, as this Mac external DVD drive has its cord firmly fixed to the body. And thanks to its size, this Apple USB external DVD drive won't take a lot of space on your desk. Summing up Apple external CD/DVD burner review, we would like to point out that this compact USB DVD drive looks sleek and modern, thus it will surely add a stylish touch to your workstation.
Max. DVD Reading Speed
Dell DW316: 8 x
Samsung SE-218CB/RSBS: 8 x
LG GP65NB60: 8 x
ASUS SDRW-08D2S-U: 8 x
Apple MD564LL/A: 8 x
Key Specs
Details
Reading/writing
What Is an External CD/DVD Drive?
Our age is the age of increasing performance capabilities and at the same time of minimizing sizes for portable electronic devices. Every manufacturer strives to make their products smaller, and often it means sacrificing some features. More and more laptops nowadays come without internal optical drives, and Ultrabooks are the whole class of devices that does not have this type of drive. But some people are not ready yet to give it up for USB drives and Cloud Storage. Several software products are released on optical discs only even today. The CD/DVD drives are on their way out, but there is still a necessity for them. For this very reason, manufacturers come to release external CD/DVD drives to connect them to laptops and Ultrabooks. With an external DVD drive, you can always read, copy, or write (burn) an optical disc. Well, what is a portable CD/DVD writer? Actually, it’s an external CD/DVD drive easily connects to any computer with a USB 2.0 port or newer. Even if the DVD drive of your personal computer has been broken, you can simply replace it with a USB external DVD drive. And with its small size and light weight, it can be used anywhere and anytime. The device can serve both as an external DVD/CD player and burner for laptops and PCs. And in this best external optical drive review, we’re going to shed light only on the top rated external CD/DVD drives.
If your laptop has only one USB port and you prefer using the mouse (so, your USB external CD drive can’t be connected), then you need a USB hub for additional connections. The hub will multiply the number of your USB ports. And if you like the USB flash drives but need more storage space, then you will find it useful to look through our external hard drives review with their hundreds of Gigabytes of data right there in your pocket.
What Features to Compare
When you are looking for an external DVD drive, firstly look at its Drive Type. It lists the types of discs you will be able to use, so think about what discs you will need to use before buying. There are three types of discs that are the most popular: CD discs, DVD discs, and Blu-ray. By ways of using different technologies, these types of discs differ in the amount of data they can store. For example, you can write up to 700 MB of data on a CD disc, but on a DVD disc, you can store up to 4.7 GB, and Blu-ray is suitable for storing up to 50 GB of data. You should decide how much information you plan to burn on a disc. If it's just a small video or a few hundreds of photos, then a DVD drive is more than enough for you. These discs are very popular and widespread. And for high-quality and high-resolution video, backup copies of your operation system, or data storage Blu-ray discs will be more suitable. Large storage space of such discs will handle these tasks best. It stands to reason that different types of discs require different drive types with different technologies. When you purchase a DVD supporting device, you will be able to run both DVD and CD discs. But such drive will not read a Blu-ray disc. Choose a Blu-ray supporting drive, and any of the types we mentioned above will be accessible to you.
Another important parameter for any external DVD drive's performance is its reading and writing Speed. Manufacturers usually indicate it by numbers with an 'x' letter. The '1x' speed of a DVD disc means 1.32 Megabytes per second, and for a Blu-ray disc, it is 4.5 Megabytes per second. What you see in reality is that an 8x DVD drive burns a whole disc in 7.5 minutes. A 6x Blu-ray will burn a standard disc in 15 minutes. The numbers are not unchangeable, the writing time depends on the file type and the quality of the disc itself.
As your external CD/DVD drive is something that is often seen, its Design also matters. The market offers a wide variety of external DVD drives, you will surely find the one that meets your preference. If you plan to carry the USB external DVD drive with you, be sure to note its size. When you choose the size right, it will allow you to put the device nicely in the pocket of your bag or pouch. And the light weight will make it so that you don't need to doubt whether you should take the external DVD drive with you or not.
Sources:
1. Whitson GordonHow to Survive Without a DVD Drive In Your Laptop, Lifehacker. June 28, 2012.
2. How to Connect External Hard Drive to Macbook Pro, wikiHow.
Popular Comparisons
BestExternal Hard Drives for MaciMore2019
When it comes to storing data, personal information, and essential documents, you can never save it in enough places. External hard drives are not only useful for storing data but are an excellent way to transport files from one location to another. When you take into account price, ease of use, and portability, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the most reliable hard drive you can carry around with you at all times.
Best Overall: Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
If you want a reliable external hard drive that has a decent amount of storage, is super easy to carry around, and has a very affordable price tag, the Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the best option for most people. Formatted for Windows and Mac right out of the box, it's easy to carry all your important documents from desktop to laptop without missing a beat.
The Seagate Dashboard back up system is a fantastic simple tool that can let you schedule backups to ensure you never miss any critical files you need in case something terrible happens to your computer. You can set automatic backups daily, weekly, or monthly, and change the frequency whenever you want.
Seagate also throws in a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create. This can help you wrangle your photo library if you don't already use some sort photo managing tool, and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great backup software
- USB 3.0
- Metal enclosure
Best Overall
Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)
Reliable, portable, and affordable.
Don't worry about lengthy setups or formatting procedures, plug in the Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB which is formatted for Mac right out of the packaging.
Best USB-C hard drive: Samsung T5 Portable SSD (1 TB)
This small compact SSD drive from Samsung comes with both a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A, meaning it's perfect to use with your MacBook or Mac.
Its fast 540 MB/s read and write speeds are more than enough to transfer any file. And should be able to store all your photo and video files with ease thanks to its straightforward software. Plus, if you're worried about encryption, the Samsung T5 Portable SSD has you covered with an optional password to launch the drive, and AES 256-bit hardware encryption on all your files.
Pros:
- USB-C
- SSD
- Super compact
- AES 256-bit hardware encryption
Best USB-C
Samsung T5 Portable SSD (1 TB)
Fast and encrypted
With 540 MB/s read and write speeds the Samsung T5 Portable SSD is fast enough for photographers and videographers to transport all their work.
Compatible with Time Machine right out of the box, the 8 TB storage capacity on the Western Digital My Book is perfect for people looking for a lot of stage at a reasonable price. It's USB 3.0 meaning it's easy to take advantage of its storage speed with fast transfer speeds.
While portability is not the Western Digital My Book's strong suit and it needs a separate power source, it does offer 256-AES encryption when you download its easy-to-use security software, ensuring all your important files and documents stay private.
If you're looking for a drive that has lots of space, os you don't have to have multiple as your storage needs grow, look no further.
Pros:
- Lots of storage
- 256-AES encryption
- Time Machine compatible
Best Capacity
Western Digital My Book (8TB)
Lots of storage for those who need it
Best External Disc Drive For Macbook Pro
Western Digital offers 256-AES encryption when you download its security software, meaning you can rest easy knowing your private information and personal data is safe.
Best Thunderbolt 3 Drive: LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
LaCie hard drives have always been good for people on the go because of the rugged design. The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt can withstand some dust, dirt, and even a tiny bit of water being splashed on it.
It's 7200 RPM Hard drive keeps things running smoothly. And the included USB-C cable — which supports Thunderbolt 3 — makes it perfect for MacBook and Mac users alike!
Cons:
- Only 130MB/s
Best Thunderbolt 3 Drive
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt
Rugged design with Thunderbolt 3
The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt 3 is a favorite because it can withstand drops, dust, and even the occasional splash of water, making it easy to carry around! Best chrome themes for mac.
Best for Legacy Hardware : G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
While Apple has been going the way of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 for a while now, some of us still use older hardware and thus don't need hard drives that have USB-C connections. If you're still rocking USB-A or even a Thunderbolt 2 connection from your Mac, the G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB) is a perfect companion.
Its all-metal design is not only more durable than plastic hard drives, but it also looks stylish! Plus, it's 7200 RPM speed allows the G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 to achieve 195 MB/s read and write speeds. This makes it fast enough to transfer large video files quickly and efficiently.
Cons:
- Needs to be reformatted for Windows
Best for legacy hardware
G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 (4TB)
Stylish and fast even on older computers
With 7200 RPM, this hard drive works hard and fast to get your files transferred quickly. Plus, it uses USB 3.0, and it even has a Thunderbolt 2 port.
The CalDigit Tuff does the best it can to live up to its name, giving you a hard drive that isn't as delicate as most. Its official IP rating is IP57, meaning it can be submerged in 3-feet of water for 30 mins and come out the other side functional. That's not all; this Thunderbolt 3 compatible drive can also withstand falling from about 4-feet high. We still don't suggest that you purposely abuse the CalDigit Tuff. Still, it's always good to have peace of mind when you're carrying your hard drive around.
Cons:
- Only come in 2TB
Best rugged drive
CalDigit Tuff
Can withstand drops and water
Mac External Drives
Official rated IP57, the CalDigit Tuff can survive an accidental dip into the water and has a great price tag.
If you're used to dealing with giant file sizes and need a hard drive that can handle transfer data fast, the Samsung X5 is one of the fastest SSD's you'll find. Its read and write speeds are 2,800MB/s and 2,300MB/s respectively, and the entire body is made of metal, making it much hardier than plastic drives. Plus, The internal frame on the inside is shock resistant for drops from 2 meters.
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This SSD comes with Thunderbolt 3 technology included. This you can take advantage of the fast speeds on your Mac or MacBook Pro, and it doesn't need any formatting, so it's plug and play!
Pros:
- 2,800MB/s read speed
- Shock resistant
- Thunderbolt 3
Best fast drive
Samsung X5
Incredibly fast SSD
If you need blazing fast speeds for giant files, the Samsung X5 is a monster external SSD that can handle any workload.
Bottom line
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim is the most reliable hard drive you can carry around with you at all times. It is formatted for both Mac and Windows right out of the box, and its easy-to-use software can automatically do backups for you as often or as little as you want.
Seagate also throws in a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create. This program can help you wrangle your photo library if you don't already use some photo managing tool. A two-month membership to Adobe's Creative Cloud Photography Plan means it's perfect for budding photographers as well.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Luke Filipowicz is an iMore staff writer who has been carrying around his Seagate Backup Plus Slim since his college days.
Lory Gil is the Managing Editor of iMore and an avid believer in having as many backups of your important files and documents as possible.
Rene Ritchie is the foremost authority on all things Apple and has insider knowledge about the goings-on at the biggest tech company in the world. When it comes to accessories for Mac, Rene has used them all.
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