Best external CD/DVD drives for my Mac Mini

Avoid the Apple USB SuperDrive. It is now showing as "sold out" in the online store, and was last updated in 2012. It is a badly outdated device.

+1 on a self-powered drive (has an independent power supply). Also, in general, tray-loading drives are less troublesome in the long game than are slot-loaders.

I will be needing a new optical drive soon and will probably buy the same OWC model that den.thed linked: Independent power supply; USB3; replaceable power and data cords for when the cat has onr for dinner. All good.

My LG SP80NB80 works fine with my 2018 Mac mini running Sequoia 15 for importing music CDs and playing DVD movies.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-8x-external-usb-double-layer-dvdrw-cd-rw-drive-black/5852919.p?

If you are into a lot of burning, then I recommend investing in a better desktop CD/DVD drive.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3USD24/

I strongly advise using a tray-loading external CD/DVD drive. I've seen many reports of people getting discs stuck in the slot-loading variety. If you are doing CD/DVD burning, the drive should ideally have a Y-cable with two USB plugs on the computer to provide extra electric current for burning.

In principle, any external dvd player should work. Haven’t tried it in a while. For writing though, i don’t know if this is something that would gave been dropped, maybe someone else has exoerience.

good thing is the mac mini 2018 has usb-3 ports. I have used one on this mini in the past.

i would opt for something self powered, as it might require a usb-3 to usb-c adapter otherwise.

Omarkg Said:

“suitable cd dvd external drive: i have a mac mini 2018 intel i5 using sequoia.”

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Using an External CD DVD Drive:

Look up compatibility on the Manufacturer’s web site or, or the original packaging. Some just don’t work. My Buffalo brand burner doesn’t work, but by SanDisk one does. The packaging shows this, and it follows are it reads.

While I used to prefer External drives with their own power supplies, USB3 for Opticaks seems much less of a problem.been using this Bus powered one for 3 years...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091Y9L722?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Out of stock but same item essentially...

https://www.amazon.com/Aumdie-External-Laptop-Burner-Windows/dp/B0CZRQBCNY/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?