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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > External CD/DVD drives

External CD/DVD drives
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andi*pandi
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
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Jun 3, 2024, 05:29 PM
 
My dad is looking for a reliable external cd drive for ripping cds or playing nonbluray movies etc. Not sure if burning is required. He has bought a few off temu but they never mount or show up so not sure if he's getting duds, temu is a scam, or if there's some crucial setup step he's missing. Amazon also is a bit overwhelming with noname brands.

He has an older mac mini w USB3 ports.

Bestbuy is nearby in case he has to return:
Apple super drive still exists $80. USB A should work with his mini? :
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-s...?skuId=5856129
LG is slower and $40
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-8x-e...?skuId=5852919

Any recommendations?
     
reader50
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: California
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Jun 3, 2024, 05:51 PM
 
Newegg is your friend for drives. No need to hit China-based marketplaces. I've found the reviews reliable.

External optical drives search, limited to $80. Including a refurb Apple External Superdrive for $35.
     
subego
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
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Jun 3, 2024, 06:01 PM
 
SuperDrive will work, and is plug and play. I still use mine.
     
andi*pandi  (op)
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Jun 4, 2024, 12:43 AM
 
Thanks guys, I snagged that refurb.
     
Brien
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern California
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Jun 5, 2024, 12:52 PM
 
I'm on the hunt for a Blu-ray drive for my mini. Any suggestions?
     
reader50
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Jun 5, 2024, 01:44 PM
 
My Blu burner is an LG, and compatibility has been good. But it's a full-height internal for my MacPro, and doesn't seem to be in production any more.
     
subego
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
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Jun 5, 2024, 03:31 PM
 
This is what I have. It’s a chonk.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071VP89X1

I was able to reflash the firmware with LibreDrive, which got rid of the 4K copy protection.

If you can use the command line, it’s not a difficult process, but it’ll brick the drive if you fuck up.
     
   
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