[Simon]

So the SuperDrive in my MBP has just kicked the bucket as have another two of my slot-loaders in other Macs I own. I'm done with these drives. I don't need it much at all, but when I do I want it to work reliably and fast.

So I figured I'd get an inexpensive external DVD burner I can move from Mac to Mac at the office when I need it. It should be USB (since FW is obviously on the way out) and I want it to be supported for Finder/DiskUtility burning as well as iTunes/iPhoto/iWhatever, IOW it should have full Apple support. I don't need Blu-ray or DVD-RAM. But otherwise, since I really don't care much about optical drives I have no clue what to look for.

Since I was going to order through the university I work for, my choice is somewhat limited. Any advice on what model to get? Some I can chose from are:

• SAMSUNG DVD±R/RW 22X DL LIGHTSCRIBE EXTERNAL USB 2.0 (~$61)
• LG GE20LU10 DVD-BURNER USB 2.0 (~$63) <- I think this one isn't DL
• LG GE20LU10 DVDRW 20X EXTERNAL LS BLACK RETAIL (~$70)
• SAMSUNG DVD±R/RW 20X DL TRUDIRECT LS EXTERNAL USB 2.0 (~$74)
• LACIE DVD±RW 20X LIGHTSCRIBE USB (~$76)

Of course I know I can just get a case and put any drive in there, but I'd still need advice on which drive to get. And actually, I'd rather go the convenient way than try to save $10. I don't have the time and I am lazy when it comes to cheap stuff like this.

[Simon]

No suggestions at all? Seriously?

Can somebody at least say if one of those listed drives is Apple-supported?

[brassplayersrock²]

i use the lacie on your list almost daily. very reliable drive. no need to worry, and it's mac and pc friendly. i don't know anything about the others listed.

[Simon]

Thanks for the advice! I have had decent stuff from LaCie before. But they do seem to be a tad expensive.

[Simon]

The cheap 22x Samsung on my list appears to use a Samsung SE-S224Q/EUBN drive. I haven't been able to find out if it's supported, but reviews seem very good actually.

The next one on the list uses an LG GE20LU10 drive. This one appears to be supported, but I'm not entirely sure.

If anybody else can offer some additional insight I'd really appreciate it.

[mduell]

Assuming the Sammy 20x is the SE-S204S/AMWN, it's well reviewed, but it's expensive because it supports some goofy burning directly from cameras. The 22x is probably just as good.

I wouldn't touch LaCie with a 10 foot pole; very poor experience with their hard and optical drives, and of course they're overpriced.

[Simon]

So are the Samsung drives supported by Apple's apps?

[mduell]

Didn't they abandon the whole Apple-blessed DVD burner thing a couple years ago?

The iDVD '06 docs say: In addition to Apple SuperDrives, iDVD 6 allows you to use compatible third party burners.

[brassplayersrock²]

Originally Posted by mduell 

Assuming the Sammy 20x is the SE-S204S/AMWN, it's well reviewed, but it's expensive because it supports some goofy burning directly from cameras. The 22x is probably just as good.

I wouldn't touch LaCie with a 10 foot pole; very poor experience with their hard and optical drives, and of course they're overpriced.

It's getting really old with your bashing of lacie products. sure you've had bad experiences, not all their stuff is crap. I've had this litescribe burner for over 2 years now traveling with it from coast to coast and many places in between, and it has ever been dropped a few times. It still works fine. But yes, they are a bit over priced, I'll agree with you on that.


OP, the lacie won't disappoint you, I'm pretty sure.

[Simon]

Originally Posted by brassplayersrock² 

I's getting really old with your bashing of lacie products.
...
OP, the lacie won't disappoint you, I'm pretty sure.

Well, actually I already wrote

Originally Posted by Simon

I have had decent stuff from LaCie before.

so no reason to worry one poster trashing LaCie in this thread.

But if this Apple-blessed burner crap is indeed over I'll simply get the 22x Samsung for $61. It's the cheapest and as fast as the others. And since I really don't care about opticals much, I'll just go for cheap if they all get the same reviews.

[Simon]

So in the meantime I got the cheap Samsung DVD±R/RW 22X DL and I must say I'm quite impressed. It's not too big, heavy or loud. It works just fine with every app I've tried so far (Finder burns, iTunes, iPhoto, Toast) in both Tiger and Leopard. It's really fast and it was very cheap.

The only thing I don't like about it is the external power brick, but I guess that's just pretty much standard for all these drives (including external USB HDDs). Oh well, at least it's not too big or heavy.