Cocopa External CD DVD Drive, Type-C USB 3.0 Slim Portable CD Reader CD/DVD-RW Burner Low Noise High Speed Data Transfer Super drive for Laptop, Desktop, Mac OS, Windows 10/8/7 / XP/Linux Low Noise

Why did you choose this product over others?:It’s portable, compatible, and gets the job done without any complicated setup or issues. Great for those with ultrabooks or newer laptops missing optical drives!

First thing: The seller asked me to write this review. That said, I at least got down to testing the kit thoroughly, rather than discovering anything over a period of time that I didn't like, or it couldn't do.I was extremely impressed upon opening the box. I was aware it was a Chinese bit of 'cheap' kit, but I wasn't prepared to find the weighty and sturdy external drive within. I immediately thought about how 'cheap' should have been 'inexpensive.'My laptop only has two USB ports and they are on opposite sides. A bit of pain when faced with an external drive that requires TWO leads to be plugged in. In addition, I have a Type-C USB port that I have nothing plugged into - ever. This drive has a lead with a standard USB plug AND a Type-C plug attached - only ONE of which needs to be plugged in. Assuming it worked when it arrived, it already was going to be a handy bit of kit, if for that alone.Then examination and testing.The lead is tucked away underneath and to be plucked out to unravel and plugged into your port of choice. If you have a cluttered desk (as mine was at the time I first plugged it in), then the lead might feel a little short. It is in the region of 8"/20cm long - and if you feel it is too short, then clearing away any desk clutter is the answer! It was fine and better than too long when considering what it is supposed to be used as.Reading was fine. I pulled photos off a previously burned DVD and installed an old game off a manufactured DVD, without issue. Test burning was good - no trashed discs. Audio CD played fine in a couple of Hi-Fis, and data DVDs read fine on my Mac (written from my PC/Laptop). The only observation was that to write a data DVD I had to select a slower speed than offered - which is 'usually' the fault of the disc(s), but without having a selection of brands to play with, I couldn't say for certain. The fact is that the extra time taken allows the kettle to boil and is no big deal.I used the word 'cheap' at the start of this review and I was wrong - it should have been 'inexpensive' to which I really ought to have added: 'great value.'Sorry if long, but I rarely write reviews on stuff unless I have a point (and if it is good - great - if it is poor, it will have been sent back for a refund) - this is GREAT!EDIT/ADDITIONAfter prolonged use, I have to say that my level of IMPRESSED has risen - despite me thinking I was up there already!With so many modern machines lacking optical drives, but archiving/backups etc. to DVD being a wise step, this device is not only desirable, but it is good to use.

Ultimately a good product. The design is not perfect, but it's not too expensive for what it does, portable, lightweight, and does what it should. I had a brief issue that I want to share if any other customers experience this.If your drive stops working - ie the light does not come on and it does not register on your pc, unlike other potential Win 11 related issues (don't let me get started on those, we know where the fault lies there and thankfully there is plently of online advice on solving those) - I have a fix here.The CD drive has an external casing. It seems the only thing that seems to hold this in place is effectively pressure / tightness of the design. With mine, the casing came loose - this was not immediately apparent. Only close observation revealed this - the disc drawer looked like it might be a fraction open. I pressed the open button then noticed the drive itself seemed to be protruding.I was able to simply push the drive back in place. Hey presto, I plugged it back into my pc and it all worked again fine, as normal.In conclusion, the design could be a little better - I would give three and a half stars if I could rather than four - but there was no mechanical fault, and the drive works as it should.

I have a Dell Inspiron 3650 Desktop, and I run Linux Mint 18.3.The built-in disc drive failed, it seems that the ribbon cable connecting the read mechanism to the output at the rear has become pinched as the drive has been used, resulting in failure. The computer is out of guarantee, so I looked for an external drive on Amazon.Based on the reviews already here, I chose this unit.Firstly, it arrived the following day despite choosing free delivery (cheapskate) which was excellent.First impressions;Sturdy unit, as described by other purchasers. Stylish design, exactly as shown in the illustration on Amazon. I don't really like modern disc drives as they are like what I used to call laptop drives, quite flimsy (remember the old chunky built-in disc drives? Like proper cd/dvd player drives) but this one has an extra feel of solidity about it.Plugged it in about ten minutes after it arrived (had to wait for the kettle to boil or it would have been sooner), the drive by itself isn't detected but as soon as a cd or dvd is inserted, it shows in the File Manager.I played a cd then a dvd using VLC media player, it was just as quick as my old failed drive when first reading the contents of a disc, but much quicker to respond to the "Play" command, and quicker at skipping through a disc while playing, be it a cd or dvd. Also i use the Linux K3b ripping programme, disc information was also read and displayed much more quickly than with my old drive.Other good points;I used the drive initially with the built-in short lead, holding the unit in my hand, because in the instructions (a tiny leaflet) it advises against connecting the USB lead to a slot on the front panel and to use one on the rear motherboard panel; and advises against using any kind of adaptor or extension lead.Well, as my computer tower unit is on the low shelf of my desk, and the lead built into this drive is short, I tried both a front USB slot and an extension lead. I was pleased to discover that it made no difference, so I can place the drive on my desk for ease of use.Also, there is no exposed ribbon cable to become trapped as in my old drive, as described above.So, I'm giving this disc drive five stars after using it for only about an hour minutes or so. I have no blank discs at the moment, so I will have to wait and see how this drive performs when burning.For a little over 20 quid, I am well pleased so far.EDIT;I have been playing some of my dvd's and some were not recognised by this drive, it was just making a quiet noise as it apparently scanned the disc repeatedly without success. The discs looked clean and unmarked, nevertheless I cleaned them and then they played perfectly. So this drive seems to be sensitive to the condition of your discs. This isn't a problem so i have not changed my rating.