DVD & Blu-Ray Drives

When it comes to playing back or ripping a movie, you are going to need a DVD or Blu-Ray drive considering that the new Mac mini has no drive at all, and none of the Mac computers come with a Blu-Ray drive or even give you the option to add one. When it comes to Blu-Ray the Mac community is sheltered from this new disc format, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t hop on the bandwagon before your friends! There aren’t too many options available for external Blu-Ray drives and there are way too many when it comes to a simple DVD drive, so below are our best recommendations.

Blu-Ray Drives

ASUS External Blu-Ray Drive (SBC-06D1S-U) [Blu-Ray Disc Reader]

This drive does a few things; it’s cheap, it is powered by USB so you won’t have to fish around for a power outlet and it just works. The design is also pretty cool. I’d say more, but honestly, those are the key details!

Buy: Amazon

ASUS External 6x Blu-Ray Writer (SBW-06C1S-U) [Blu-Ray Disc Writer]

If you are going to spend the cash on a Blu-Ray reader, but want to future-proof your investment, why not spend a few extra dollars and get a Blu-Ray drive that can also write Blu-Ray discs. While Blu-Rays are primarily used for movies, you can also burn data to the very large 25 & 50GB discs. And while everyone may not have a Blu-Ray drive of their own, this one is portable so you can bring it where ever you need to. Blu-Ray burners used to cost a fortune but now it is making more and more sense to own one.

Buy: Amazon

DVD Drives

Samsung 8x DVD Writer External Optical Drive (SE-S084D/TSBS)

Much like the Blu-Ray drive that I recommend above. This drive is inexpensive, powered by USB and very sleek looking. At first I didn’t think I would need to use a DVD drive with my 2011 Mac mini, but literally 4 hours after opening the thing I realized that burning DVDs may be on the way out, but I still needed to be able to do it.

Buy: Amazon