Amicool External DVD Drive
Score: 71/100
Asus ZenDrive V1M
Score: 75/100Rankings
ASUS ZenDrive V1M is a slim USB-C external DVD writer that supports M-DISC archival media and includes a retractable 24 cm cable for cable-free portability. It provides solid 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds, though it is heavier than some rivals and comes with only a one-year warranty. Suited for professionals needing reliable long-term storage and cross-platform compatibility.
The Amicool External DVD Drive is a slim, USB-3.0 portable optical drive offering fast 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds with broad format support. Its lack of M-DISC compatibility and occasional power-related recognition issues limit its use for archival or low-power devices. Ideal for travelers and MacBook users needing a lightweight, bus-powered solution.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
2 MBbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 332 gbest | 340 g |
| ↓ lower better | 17 mm | 15.24 mmbest |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Interface | USB 3.0 | USB Type-C |
Features(2) | ||
Supported Media | CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL, DVD-RAM | DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, CD‑R, CD‑RW |
M‑DISC Support | false | true |
Power(1) | ||
Power Source | USB-powered | Bus-powered via USB-C |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 332 g | 340 g |
Thickness (mm) | 17 mm | 15.24 mm |
Form Factor | External portable | slim |
General(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, macOS |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Amicool drive for its fast USB 3.0 data rates, plug-and-play simplicity across Windows and macOS, and the convenience of an integrated USB-A/Type-C cable, while noting the lack of Blu-ray support and limited compatibility with non-PC devices as the main drawbacks.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's cross-platform reliability, especially as a replacement for discontinued Apple optical drives, and praise its portability and ease of use; complaints are few but focus on occasional power-related recognition issues and the absence of Blu-ray capability.
