BestBlu-ray Drives for MaciMore2019
- Shop for external blu ray drive for mac at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up.
- Dell DW316 is a slim, easy to use external DVD RW drive that offers a decent set of features for a budget price. Because of its thickness of 1.5 centimeters, the weight of only 200 grams and the fact that it is powered by the PC’s or notebook’s USB port, this drive is a great solution for both home usage and one on the go.
Blu-ray discs are the gold standard in physical video formats right now. You probably have a decent Blu-ray collection of your favorite movies, but without a Blu-ray drive, you can't play them on your Mac. Blu-rays aren't just great for movies; they also make great storage devices for backups or other relevant data as well. If you want to play, read, or write Blu-ray discs with your Mac, you're going to need to start with an excellent Blu-ray drive. Here are our favorite Blu-ray drives for Mac.
Budget option: SEA TECH Blu-ray drive
The Best External Hard Drives for Mac in 2019. Mac-formatted external drive that comes in SSD and spinning disk versions, and includes both a USB hub and Thunderbolt 3 support.
Staff FavoriteCompletely compatible with Mac, you won't need to reformat or install anything to get the SEA TECH Blu-ray drive to talk to your Mac. Plus, it uses a USB 3.0 connection, meaning all your data transferring is happening at the fast speed of USB 3.0!
$88 at AmazonFast write speeds: Pioneer BDR-XD05
The Pioneer BDR-XD05's 6x write speeds on single-layer and dual-layer discs, and up to 4x max write speeds on quad-layer discs, which makes it one of the faster drives around. Compatible with Mac right out of the box, it also has a quiet mode, so it won't make a ton of noise when you're using the drive.
$96 at AmazonWindows and Mac compatible: ASUS BW-16D1X-U
The ASUS 12X Blu-ray drive has a 16X burning speed, which is among the fastest of the optical drives out there. Plus, by using a USB 3.0 connection, the ASUS BW-16D1X-U Blu-ray drive can also write data much faster than other drives that still use USB 2.0. The drive is formatted both for Mac and Windows, so you don't have to worry about reformatting the drive if you want to switch back and forth between operating systems.
$148 at AmazonIncludes Cyberlink Media Suite: Buffalo MediaStation 6x Portable BDXL Blu-Ray Writer
For both Mac and Windows, this beautifully designed reader offers BDXL support for high capacity disc-writing for Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs. It also includes M-Disc support for longer life recordings. Included is the Cyberlink Media Suite, which offers Blu-ray and DVD burning and playback tools.
$95 at AmazonM-Disc compatible: OWC Mercury Pro
Housed in an aluminum casing, the OWC Mercury Pro may be a bit bulky and boxy, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in performance. This 16X drive is fast at burning Blu-Ray discs, and it's even compatible with M-Disc, so your archives will last much longer. The drive also uses USB 3.0, giving you a much faster connection speed, and it comes with all the cable you need in the box!
$130 at AmazonDon't forget the software
When it comes to playing Blu-rays on your Mac, you're going to need software as well as an external drive, and sometimes that software can be expensive. For that reason, I think the SEA TECH Blu-ray drive is worth a look for people who just want to watch Blu-ray movies.
Of course, if you plan on using Blu-rays for hard copies of your work, document, files, and general back up, it's probably worth the dishing out the extra cash for a drive like the ASUS BW-16D1X-U. It just has way more power than those slimmer drives and will help you transfer all your data to disc a lot faster.
Either way, you'll need one of the great drives listed above if you want to watch or burn any Blu-rays on your Mac.
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In recent years a number of laptop manufacturers have begun excluding DVD drives from their products. This is partly due to most software being available online which when combined with faster internet connections makes the DVD drive almost obsolete. While excluding the drives does help keep the laptops compact and light weight, there are still times when you will need to read or burn a DVD.
As a result, we created this best external DVD drive guide to help you find a drive that will satisfy your needs. There is a wide variety to choose from, all capable of reading and writing a range of disc types. We have also included models that will suit different operating systems depending on whether you are using windows or Mac.
Related: Best OS for gaming – Windows, Linux or Mac
Top 10 Best External DVD Drives
1. LG Electronics 8x USB 2.0 Ultra Slim DVD Drive GP65NB60
LG’s GP65NB60 comes in four color options, and it is an ultra-slim model that is just 14mm in height. USB 3.0 compatible, the unit runs at up to 480Mbits and also runs on USB 2.0 interface. Maximum DVDR write speeds are 8x while CD write seeds are 24x.
Fast and efficient, this model has a sustained DVD write speed of 11.08 Mbytes while CD transfer rates are 3.6 MB/s. The unit is compatible with Windows Server 2003 and higher, so it will run on most any operating system still in use today.
The unit does have jamless and silent play as well as TV connectivity.
Under-run prevention is embedded into the DVD drive, allowing for a 0.75 MB buffer for smoother operation. The GP65NB60 is powered by USB which is convenient when working on the go.
2. ASUS ZenDrive
The ASUS ZenDrive can be bought in either black or silver, which both look fantastic. In addition, the base model comes with USB 2.0 interface as standard. However, there is another model that adds Type C interface, too.
Ideal for laptops and other smaller units, this model is just 13mm thick. It’s ultra-slim and comes with a complete backup solution, making it easier to back-up your documents and files.
M-DISC is available to keep your files backed up without data loss or degradation for 1,000 years. M-DISC is able to keep data safer and with less potential data loss than any other medium available such as DVD.
DVD write speeds are 8X, and Nero backup solutions are available for your Android Devices. You can also use disc encryption as well as drag and burn options. Webroot for mac trial. ZenDrive will work with Windows 10, and you can write to CD format, too.
USB 3.0 is supported and will allow for even faster write speeds when available.
3. Dell USB DVD Drive-DW316
Dell’s DW316 is a slim drive offering plug and play disc burning capabilities. This unit can be used at home or on the go, and it’s lightweight at 200g with a low profile of 14mm. You’ll find that the unit is an optical drive that has the pre-loaded CyberLink Media Suite.
Exceptional performance allows the DW316 to have write speeds as high as 24X for CD and 8X for DVD+RW discs.
Powered completely through USB, there’s no need for power cords or any other cords. Just plug the unit into your Mac or Windows computer or laptop, and you’re ready to go. However, blu-ray cannot be read on the DVD drive, but it’s an easy-to-use option that comes at an affordable price.
Modern PCs will automatically detect the drive when it’s plugged in, so it’s usable in seconds and is also quieter than most competing models.
Read also: How to build a gaming PC – Ultimate guide
4. Pioneer BDR-XD05B
Pioneer is a leader in audio, and they also manufacture some of the best computer peripherals on the market. https://wordclever140.weebly.com/safari-update-for-mac-1085.html. Offering a clamshell design, this model comes in black or silver and supports USB 3.0 and also BDXL.
The only time this fast-performing writer will slow down is when burning Blu-ray discs, but speeds are still at 6X, which is impressive for an external writer.
PowerDVD is provided, so you’ll have the software needed to play and write media. Quiet and very compatible, the XD05B is able to backup all of your media faster and more efficiently than competing models.
5. ASUS Lite Portable USB 2.0 Slim External Drive
ASUS offers a very compact, portable DVD burner that comes with 8X speeds and is compatible with both Windows 10 and Mac. The unit is designed to be an easy backup solution, and it offers encryption technology as well as double security to keep all of your files safe.
A drag-and-drop interface allows for simple burning within seconds.
Cables are provided for USB ports. If you want to watch movies off of the player, you’ll need to plug in both USB ports to properly power the drive. Offering a very low entry price, this is one of the better DVD writers on the market.
External Dvd Drive For Mac Laptop
E-Green Engine is available for the best optical storage option today.
6. Apple USB SuperDrive – Best for Mac
External Dvd Burner For Mac
Apple’s USB SuperDrive is the best external DVD drive for Mac, and this is because it’s designed directly by Apple. Sleek and compatible with all Macs, this model can play and burn all of your media: CDs and DVDs.
Create backup discs quickly, and while more expensive than competing models, the SuperDrive is one of the quietest on the market.
You won’t need an external power source, and all of your favorite Mac models are supported: Mac Mini, MacBook and MacBook Air. The only downside is that since there is no external power source, you’ll have to rely on your laptop’s battery to power your drive.
This means that your battery will deplete slightly faster than normal. https://wordclever140.weebly.com/2tb-external-hard-drive-for-mac.html.
7. Pioneer BDR-XU03
Pioneer is back with an external Blu-Ray writer, and this model comes with a stand (higher version). The magnesium body is sleek and aesthetically appeasing, and faster writing speeds are offered through USB 3.0.
Writing speeds are as fast as 6X, and there’s no need for an external power source.
External Dvd Drive For Mac Book Pro
Performance is quiet, and the company includes PureRead 2 Smarter Media Playback and PowerRead Smooth. Blu-ray media support allows for 100 GB triple-layer and 128 GB quad layer storage options.
You can use this external drive to view all of your Blu-Ray media, but you do need separate software (included) to be able to watch all of your Blu-Ray content.
8. Samsung External DVD Drive SE-218CB
Samsung’s external DVD writer has interface compatibility for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and buffer memory of 1.0 MB for smoother reading and writing. You’ll be able to burn both DVD and CD mediums, and access time for both is just 150 MS.
Writes are made at 8X for most DVD media and 24X for CD media.
Seek time is a mere 190 ms, and the USB cable will act as the writer’s power source. The USB cord is included, and most MACs will run this writer. Windows machines will also work thanks to the automatic recognition feature.
9. HP DVD600S
HP’s DVD600S is an ultra-thin, lightweight multi-format writer. Delivering the latest in optical technology, this writer has a 13.2 mm thickness and weighs just 250 grams. The writer can record on double- and single-layer technology.
No AC adapter is required, as the writer will be powered by the USB.
DVD read and write speeds are 8X, CD speeds are a fast 24X. While the USB cord is integrated into the writer, it is small and you can use an extender as needed. Aside from this small issue, the writer does as is advertised: writes and reads media.
10. Archgon MD-3102S-U3 Blu-ray Combo
Archgon offers a Blu-ray combo that has a built-in Panasonic combo drive that can both read and write CD and DVD. Blu-ray discs are also able to be read. More expensive than other models, this unit is durable with a premium aluminum casing and uses USB 3.0 for faster writing speeds.
Of course, USB 2.0 is supported, too.
Cyberlink Media Suite is included. The unit will work with Windows 7 and up as well as Mac OS 10.8.5 and later. Keep in mind that while the drive can read a Blu-ray disc, it cannot write to Blu-ray (something a lot of consumers overlook).
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