Best External Disc Drive

Hi, I have an m11x on the way and I was wondering what were good External Disc Drives?

*I'm looking for a disc drive that can read/write CD's, DVD's and maybe blu-ray. A multi-purpose disc drive I guess.
*I'm mainly going to be using this to first create my Recovery disc, and then it will mainly be used to read/install disc based games, making music CD's and movie DVD's.
*I really prefer the disc drives where you just insert the CD rather than it popping open for you to put the CD in, or a disc slot extends outward for you to put a CD in. I prefer a drive like the ones on PS3 or Wii/360 that you just stick the CD in and it ejects it out.
*My budget will vary depending on the product, but I'd like to spend no more than $80. If there is something that is maybe $100 that's a lot better than something $80, or if the $80 is the same as maybe a $50 one, I'd like to know so please tell me.
*If it can read/record faster, that is also a good plus

I'm open to suggestions, and locations to purchase this drive. There is an 80% chance that I will only be able to purchase it in-store.

THANKS!!!

P.S. I tried researching for some, but my search was very difficult especially since I don't know what the types of disc readers are.(pop-up, disc out, etc...). I just need to know what the type of disc reader is called where it's like the ps3 one.

 

The slot-loaders you prefer won't read the small discs that more and more software comes on and they are less reliable than top/tray-loaders.

If you don't need portability, 3.5" drives perform better that 2.5" ones.

Not too sure about makes, but Samsung and LG get good reviews. I have an ancient Sony that is still going strong.

 

Can you explain the difference between slot-loaders and top/tray-loaders? I'm not really sure what each is. I'm assuming the top/tray-loaders are the ones that open up and slide out, and the slot-loaders are the ones that you can just put the CD in am I correct?

I don't understand what you mean where the slot-loaders won't read small discs later on... By small discs you mean gamecube sized discs right? I don't think I'll ever use those... haha.

 

Tray-loaders have a tray that slides in/out that you place the disc on.

Top-loaders have a lid with a hinge at the back. The lid lifts and you drop the disc on the spindle.

Slot-loaders have a slot that you slide the disc in.

The last two software driver discs I've received have been small diameter discs that I can't read in the slot-loader drive in my main laptop.

 

The small diameter disc is the size of a gamecube disc right?

The left is the GC sized disc and the right is a standard sized disc.
So you're saying the smaller one has compatibility issues?

As long as standard sized discs are readable with minimum or no issues, than it shouldn't be a problem.

Do you recommend any slot-loader multi-drive external disc readers?

 

Oops... looks like that image is humongous. Oh well... idk how to resize it :O

 

If the disc isn't standard size and round it won't work in a slot-loader.

I'm out of touch with current drives so I can't recommend anything specific.

 

Honestly, the differences between ODDs (optical disc drives) aren't very much. You could probably find a BD-ROM (Blu-Ray reader) for <$100 on eBay (seen it as low as $50 for the BD-5600S), which is a notebook DVD drive (smaller and doesn't require external power). It is a slot-load drive at 12.7mm height. You'll need a 12.7mm height SATA to USB or eSATA enclosure (caddy), which can be also found on eBay for as low as $10. For portability, this is a great solution and can be very cheap if you're willing to DIY.

 

Is it a Plug & Play type thing? And the BD-ROM can read all discs right?

 

If you don't need Blu-Ray capability, a CD/DVD reader/writer combo drive can be found for as low as $30. I saw a portable dual-USB-powered slim drive at Fry's for that price after rebate recently. External Blu-Ray readers are much more pricey, though.

In either case, I'd just recommend that you go for the cheapest option - they're all about the same, reliability- and performance-wise, so it really doesn't matter all that much.

 

I have a Fry's near my school, so I'll be sure to check out their stock.

Hopefully I can get reliable disc drive that won't burn out my USB port, and the logitech g700!

I didn't see the g700 last time, but are there any other stores that I should be able to purchase it at?

 

I have been eying these samsung drives myself. Tray loaders (and you can even pop open the tray when it's unplugged with a paper clip) and come in nice finishes. Between $40-50.

 

I might be getting a job soon(Wish me luck!), I hope so x) so I will probably be able to purchase more expensive items.

I was looking at the SAMSUNG SE-T084P and was wondering what you guys thought of it?

I'm also thinking that I should purchase an external drive temporarily, and then use it then return it when I'm done. But the SAMSUNG SE-T084P is something I'd like to keep in the future if I get it(Part of my to-get list).

My List:

Spoiler

View attachment To-get list.txt

 

Asus USB Blu-Ray Drive
Asus USB DVD Drive (I have)

 

I used to think that, too. But recently I've been trying to rip all my 4-5 year old burned DVDs using Handbrake, and while the LG drive in my HTPC choked on most of them and couldn't get through without crc errors, the Sony drive in my desktop did them fine.

 

Did you originally burn them with the Sony?

Ted