Customer Ratings & Reviews

Yes, you can playback DVDs with this ASUS EXTERNAL CD/DVD writer. And while the tray is still empty, you can use the onscreen display to eject it, but when it’s actually loaded, that method doesn’t work, so it has to be manually ejected using a pin via the pinhole. Haven’t tried burning a disc with it yet, but it’s possible that it’s a similar maneuver. I’m only using this with my Mac mini having Apple silicon- so at least it works! You’d have to experiment with Mac versions of playback software for satisfactory results. So can ASUS update the firmware so that this is 100% operational with latest macOS? The unit comes with 2 cables; I’m using the USB-C.

I'm using the ZenDrive it to build a digital music library of my CDs. Works great with and without the included software disk. It takes a couple minutes on average to rip a CD. Spent a day going through 100+ CDs ripping most to 320kbps mp3 and the drive disconnected (unrecognized as a USB device) maybe 2-3 times, it does get warm after a few CDs back to back. Depending on the CD sometimes the CD won't rip while using the legacy Windows Media Player and you'll need to install the included software and rip using that. No issues with the drive itself. I travel frequently and ended up buying this due to my location at the time. I also have the ~$30 LG disk drive and they both perform very similarly.

Yes, this is the most compact external drive I have ever used. It works so easily with my laptop when I need to load software from a disc. It was inexpensive too.

Nice small external drive. Runs smooth and is quite. Easy to install with just two connections. One to a computer and the other to an electrical outlet.

Purchased due to Dell external drive not working with new Mac M5 air. Plug and play eith no issues.

The drive is quiet, and its operation is simple. It's very thin.

Great product. I needed a dependable drive to record audio and video files that works with Windows 11. This works great. Reasonable price and great reviews. I always research before purchasing and this truly lived up to its awesome reviews.

It works, I had to contact support right away because of errors with my laptop attempting the first few burns but after talking to cyberlink and updating a few things it seems to be workin just fine now...But it is an external burner and that in itself means there can be issues BUT usually in rare cases. Thanks to support for helping me quickly and getting it functioning smoothly with the updates. Pros: External, Dual USB Adapter for additional power source if needed,Easy to use Cons: Ejection Button is small sn blends in with the frame, Tho well built for the price feels like your going to break it inserting/removing discs if not on a large table when fully opened., May need updates/support if you have any errors depending on your system...

I have owned several of these from different manufacturers and this one is a better product. Easy to use and excellent picture quality. Great price also.

Works great. I have not had it long enough to give a 5. Does what I want. Good to have the software that came with the device. It does need a case for protection. That would have been a nice add on. I sure I can find one.

Since most laptops don't come with a dvd anymore, it is annoying when you buy some software and find it is the dvd version. This external unit works like advertised. I love ASUS products as my laptop is an ASUS gaming laptop and I have never had any problems with them. I don't know how well it works if you use it every day. I just need it for the occasional backup

Have used it several times for disk writing, music play drive and software loading. Was easy to set up and use, with no compatibility issues on my Dell laptops. Since these drives need a lot of power it comes with both a USB C-Type cable and a USB-A double cord. If you don't have a USB Type-C or Thunderbolt you will need two available USB-A ports (USB 1 or 2).

I've read the other reviews but this worked right away on my 2024 MacBook Pro using just the single USB-C type connector. It booted up "mystery" unlabeled DVDs and CDs I've had in a drawer for the better part of two decades. It is a fragile little thing. You think you're going to bust it just by putting in a new disc. I don't know how much punishment it could take being lugged around in a backpack. But l don't plan on making it portable...keeping it around for the very rare use case that I need to read CD-ROM / DVD media or even burn a DVD. For less than $40, I don't have any complaints.

So happy to find a DVD player for my Samsung Notebook. I had read reviews of many and none of them seemed that great. This ASUS is working well. I've had it nearly two months and no problems. It requires two USB ports.

I needed a new external cd/dvd player as my new computer did not come with one. I purchased this unit and am very pleased with it. Does exactly what I needed.

I do not actually have this item. I bought it as a gift for someone in another state. I have no actual experience of using it. So why this one instead of some other? Several reasons. 1) It had a known brand name. I've read that some off-brand optical drives are actually pulls from defunct laptops, and not brand-new items. I didn't want that. 2) I liked that it came with two different size cables for connecting the drive to a computer. I figured this increased the chances of being able to connect it to whatever machine the ultimate recipient had. 3) I could see from the photos that there was no "spindle" in the caddy that a disc had to be forced onto. Just lay it in the tray and all is fine. This gave me confidence that it would be difficult to damage either the disc or the drive when loading a disc. 4) It was easy to have the recipient pick up the drive at a local store. This saved me from picking up the drive locally and from the cost and risk of damage if I had to ship it myself.

Great speed and space, exactly what I needed. The small size makes it extremely easy to mount almost anywhere on your rig. You cant go wrong picking one of these up.

Never owned one of these before but due to the fact that new PCs don’t have them I made the choice to buy this one because I still need it. I bought this particular one because it’s the same brand as my new PC, no other reason. It does what it should and that’s that

I used it to play my old CDs while working on my PC. It works like a charm!

Nice unit. Plug and Play. The included software is very old and not needed to use all functions. Also the USB connector on the unit is a USB Mini. I have used it a few times to burn data using the Windows transfer system in File Folder and it plays back fine. It plays back CD's I burned data to years ago fine. I have also watched a few movies on DVD fine. BUT, like with any CD/DVD drive, internal or external, To play DVD movies you will need 3rd party software. I use VLC Media Player