looking for an external optical drive

lnjr said:

I have just gotten a Geekom Mini IT11 computer and it does not have an optical drive. So I was thinking about getting one since I do use the one that is on my Dell Desktop computer and would like to be able to connect one to the Geekom Mini IT11 computer.
However, I am not sure if there is anything specific that I should be looking for or avoiding when looking at them. The computer does have 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD Hard drive, I have included a pic of the different ports on the unit.
It does not have to be anything fancy, but I do have some software that is on discs and well as other information that is on discs and I would like to use it to listen to music every once in a while.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

LG External CD/DVD Rewriter With M-Disc Mac & Surface - Newegg.com

ASUS USB 2.0 External CD/DVD Drive Model SDRW-08U9M-U/SIL/G/AS/P2G - Newegg.com

I have the same ASUS 8X DVD/Burner External Drive but I have the black version.

ASUS ZenDrive Black 13mm External 8X DVD/Burner Drive +/-RW with M-Disc Support, Compatible with Both Mac & Windows and Nero BackItUp for Android Devices (USB 2.0 & Type-C Cables Included)

lnjr said:

Thanks so Very Much for all the wonderful suggestions. I greatly appreciate it. Looks like I don't need to get anything that also requires being plugged into and outlet as well as the usb port (wasn't sure if those with the additional power from an electrical outlet would be better or not for my use) and it does not need to be anything fancy.

The ASUS Zen DVD drive comes with two cables

• Mini-USB to USB-C
• Mini-USB to Type-A Y-cable

I normally use the USB-C cable. USB-C has plenty of power for it.
If you only have a USB-A port then use the USB-A Y-cable. It has two USB-A connectors on it if needed. I found only connecting one was enough. You only need to connect to a 2nd port if the 1st port doesn't provide enough power.

MisterEd said:

The ASUS Zen DVD drive comes with two cables

• Mini-USB to USB-C
• Mini-USB to Type-A Y-cable

I normally use the USB-C cable. USB-C has plenty of power for it.
If you only have a USB-A port then use the USB-A Y-cable. It has two USB-A connectors on it if needed. I found only connecting one was enough. You only need to connect to a 2nd port if the 1st port doesn't provide enough power.

Yeah - I had an external drive with older usb 3 (not C), and I needed to use two ports - even then drive was flakey.

I bought a drive that uses usb 3.2 (C cable), and it works fine.
Most external drives are probably usb-c ports now anyway.

lnjr said:

I was looking and the one ASUS Zen Drive states that it comes with Includes two cables for USB Type-C and Type-A interfaces - USB 2.0 & Type-C Cables Included that is the UM9 model and the other one model UM7 does not see to state what cables come with it.

I am going to have to figure out which port / ports I am going to need to plug into this mini pc before I make a final decision since there are not that many ports and I do have other items that need to be plugged in all the time. Thanks!

You are right that it is unclear. I think that:
ASUS SDRW-08U7M-U/BLK includes: USB Type-A Y-cable
ASUS SDRW-08U9M-U/BLK includes: USB Type-C and USB Type-A Y-cable

If you are unsure get the SDRW-08U9M-U/BLK. That is what I bought. I recommend using the USB-C cable because the C-port by design should have plenty of power for the drive. I will only use the Type-A Y-cable if the computer doesn't have a USB-C port.