Speed - The speed tells you how fast the drive will read and write data.

Compatibility - Most DVD drives work with Windows and Mac, but do check the specs before you buy to make sure the drive doesn't favor one or the other or need additional software to work.

So you'll need to be sure the disk drive you're buying works with USB-C. For example, many Macbooks only have a USB-C port.

Connectivity - You'll need to check how your drive connects to your Mac first and foremost to be sure that it works with your devices.

There are many different CD/DVD drives on the market, so how do you find the right one for your Mac?

How do you find the right CD/DVD drive for your Mac? An external drive will let you do that without a drive in your machine itself. Maybe you've got years of files that you need to view and access on CDs and DVDs.

One of the biggest reasons is legacy data recovery. With an external drive you can do this on your Mac too. or maybe you just want to use them as they where intended, listing to tunes or watching a movie. You might want to digitize your DVD or music collection, for example. There are plenty of reasons why you might still need to use a disc every now and again, after all. It may seem like the time of the disc drive is behind us, but they're actually still really useful to have around. It's lightweight, fast, and doesn't cost too much, making it a perfect compliment to an already expensive 16-inch MacBook Pro (2021).

If you're working with a small budget, take a look at the LG Electronics 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable. In our guide above we've selected the ASUS ZenDrive U9M as our favorite pick since its read and write speeds are impressive, and you don't need a dongle to use it with your newer MacBook - like the M2 MacBook Air. It's a solid choice if you need to back up sensitive data, as well as music and video libraries because it comes with a range of software included to get you up-and-running quickly and easily.īack to the top ^ Which is the best disc drive for Mac? Weighing just 12 ounces, this CD/DVD burner is compact, lightweight, and USB-powered.

Best external hard drives for mac air