External DVD burner for Mac.

[n11/n12]

I need an external DVD burner for my Mac laptop, but the only one I'm certain will work is a Lacie--one of the more expensive ones, considering I merely want to backup my MP3s.

Here's my two-part question: Do the system requirements on the box refer to the burner itself or only the included software (therefore any cheap burner will do just fine)? If it's the former, will the freeware Patchburn fix that problem?

I'm pretty sure the answers are A and Doubtful, but I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Ducky]

which mac laptop is this? iirc, most of the later powerbooks and all the new macbooks and macbook pros have the superdrive that can burn dvds.

however, on the package if they say "OSX" or "MAC" chances are they have worked with Apple to provide drivers for their device. You don't actually need burning software in OSX as burning DVD (at least data DVDS) is built into OSX, and if you're burning DVD video, the software on the mac you're using to do so can handle the burn. The drivers *should* be native ion the OS for the Lacie drive. The question is whether that hardware has supported drivers, and most I have seen do.

Lacie has a long history of mac compatibility. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Ian Osborne]

My external drive is a LaCie pocket drive, which is powered through the FireWire connector. This would make it ideal for a MacBook, as you can take it with you without carting around an extra PSU.

As the Artist Formerly Known as Fowlsound says, though, don't you have a DVD writer built into your laptop? If it's bust, you might want to price a repair rather than go for an external solution.

ETA: Or, if you only want to back up MP3s, maybe go for an external hard drive? They're phenomenally cheap these days.

 

[Ducky]

My external drive is a LaCie pocket drive, which is powered through the FireWire connector. This would make it ideal for a MacBook, as you can take it with you without carting around an extra PSU.

As the Artist Formerly Known as Fowlsound says, though, don't you have a DVD writer built into your laptop? If it's bust, you might want to price a repair rather than go for an external solution.

ETA: Or, if you only want to back up MP3s, maybe go for an external hard drive? They're phenomenally cheap these days.

Also, just in case it isn't known, you can check what kind of optical drive you have in your mac by going to the apple menu, and choosing "About this Mac" and then checking "More Info" and check the information about the optical drive. it will tell you if you can burn dvds.