External Dvd burners for mac

[ucusty]

My internal burner has died for the second time now...  Im looking to go external for my mac now.  Any suggestions?  Lightscribe technology  what is it??  I dont want to spend too much.

[jonyem]

I believe the Lightscribe is the external from HP that burns the artwork on the top side of the disc. Seems like a cool thing, but not something you need. I've used the LaCie Porsche DVD burner on my old iBook with success.

If I were currently in the market for a Mac external, I'd be looking at the MacBook Air SuperDrive http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB397?mco=NTQ3OTQ

[tet]

I believe the Lightscribe is the external from HP that burns the artwork on the top side of the disc. Seems like a cool thing, but not something you need. I've used the LaCie Porsche DVD burner on my old iBook with success.

If I were currently in the market for a Mac external, I'd be looking at the MacBook Air SuperDrive http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB397?mco=NTQ3OTQ

AFAIK, that only works with the MacBook Air

[jonyem]

I believe the Lightscribe is the external from HP that burns the artwork on the top side of the disc. Seems like a cool thing, but not something you need. I've used the LaCie Porsche DVD burner on my old iBook with success.

If I were currently in the market for a Mac external, I'd be looking at the MacBook Air SuperDrive http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB397?mco=NTQ3OTQ

AFAIK, that only works with the MacBook Air

I think so too, but it should work with other Macs, it's just a USB drive.

[tet]

I think so too, but it should work with other Macs, it's just a USB drive.

nope, RTFM 

it uses a special chip in the MB Air that supplies more power than USB normally provides. 

trust me on this.  it will NOT work with anything other than the Air.  ANYTHING.

[jonyem]

I think so too, but it should work with other Macs, it's just a USB drive.

nope, RTFM 

it uses a special chip in the MB Air that supplies more power than USB normally provides. 

trust me on this.  it will NOT work with anything other than the Air.  ANYTHING.

I don't doubt you one bit, but is this according to specs or real world testing?
(Which I'm sure will turn out to be the same thing, but, it'd be darn cool if it worked).

[tet]

http://macenstein.com/default/archives/1052

[jonyem]

http://macenstein.com/default/archives/1052

Man that's weak.
Thanks for setting me straight.

[ucusty]

so any other suggestions?

[tet]

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/

[jonyem]

Should you get a FireWire external drive, be sure that it's also a USB 2.x, as Apple is moving away from FireWire on some of the latest portables.

[tet]

correct.  but, Firewire is vastly superior, so if your Mac has one now, be sure to use that over USB2. 

[jonyem]

correct.  but, Firewire is vastly superior, so if your Mac has one now, be sure to use that over USB2. 

Agreed.