Asus ZenDrive Black
Score: 73/100
Ziweo External DVD Drive
Score: 70/100Rankings
ASUS ZenDrive Black 13mm offers an ultra-slim, bus-powered DVD writer with M-DISC support and dual USB-C/Type-A cables, delivering 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds. However, its USB 2.0 interface limits transfer rates compared to newer drives. It is a good fit for users prioritizing portability and archival capability over high-speed data transfers.
The Ziweo External DVD Drive is a portable, bus-powered optical drive offering dual USB-C and USB 3.0 connectivity with fast 24× CD and 8× DVD speeds. Its fixed cables and limited compatibility with certain devices such as Chromebooks and Ubuntu are notable drawbacks. Ideal for Windows and macOS laptop users needing a reliable, low-noise external drive.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
24 xbest | 24 xbest | |
8 xbest | 8 xbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 200 gbest | — |
| ↓ lower better | 13.9 mmbest | 20.3 mm |
1 yearsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||
Interface | USB 2.0 Type-C, USB 2.0 Type-A | USB 3.0 |
USB Standard | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 |
Features(1) | ||
Supported Media | DVD‑RAM, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, CD‑R, CD‑RW | CD‑R, CD‑RW, DVD‑R, DVD‑R DL, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD‑RAM |
Power(1) | ||
Power Source | Bus-powered | USB bus-powered |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Thickness (mm) | 13.9 mm | 20.3 mm |
General(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10; Mac OS X 10.6+ | Windows, Linux, macOS |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the Ziweo drive a reliable and portable accessory, emphasizing its fast 24× CD/8× DVD speeds, 5 Gbps USB 3.0 transfer, dual USB-C/3.0 connectivity, and sturdy low-noise build, while noting the inconvenience of fixed cables and the lack of compatibility with Chromebooks, Surface Pro and Ubuntu.
Everyday users generally praise the drive for its quick and dependable disc burning, quiet operation, and ease of use on Windows and Mac laptops, but recurring complaints focus on occasional driver requirements, incompatibility with certain devices, and the fixed cable design.
“excellent accessory for anyone who needs a reliable and portable optical drive.”
