External USB DVD writer ASUS ZenDrive U9M Ultra-slim, USB Type-C + USB 2.0

ASUS ZenDrive U9M is an external USB DVD writer in an ultra-thin format that you can easily toss in your bag next to your laptop. It is aimed at people who still use discs – for movies, music, software, archives – but do not have a built-in optical drive. You get a combination of USB 2.0 and USB Type-C connection, so it works with both older and newer machines. The color is gray, and weighing 245 g it is light enough for constant carrying.

What you get
The device reads CD discs at speeds up to 24X and DVDs at up to 8x, which is more than enough for watching movies, installing games, or copying larger archives from disc. For writing, you have 8X for DVD+R/DVD-R and up to 8X for DVD+RW, plus 6x for DVD-RW, so you can easily write backups, videos, and data on DVD media. CD formats are also covered – writing on CD-RW at speeds up to 24x, which is convenient for music compilations or smaller archives. The access time of 140 ms for CD and 160 ms for DVD means that the device responds quickly when opening files and navigating between directories. With support for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 and Mac OS X, you plug it in and work without drama, whether you are on an older business laptop or a newer Mac.

• Reading CD-ROM at speeds up to 24X, which is more than enough for quick data copying and installation of older games and software.
• Reading DVD-ROM at up to 8x, suitable for watching movies from DVD and working with archive discs.
• Writing on DVD+R and DVD-R at up to 8X, so you can relatively quickly make backups and video discs.
• Writing on DVD+RW at up to 8X and DVD-RW at 6x, convenient if you use rewritable discs for temporary data.
• Writing on CD-RW at speeds up to 24x, allowing you to quickly create audio CDs or small backups.
• Combined interface USB 2.0 and USB Type-C, ensuring compatibility with both older laptops and PCs as well as newer devices with Type-C ports.
• Light and compact device weighing only 245 g and in gray color, suitable for mobile work and minimalist setups.
• Compatibility with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 and Mac OS X, so you can use it in diverse environments – office, home, service.

Who it is suitable for
It is suitable if you have an ultrabook or desktop without an optical drive, but still work with CDs and DVDs – whether for movies, software, old archives, or music in the car. It is also useful for service technicians who often install OS or drivers from discs, as well as for people who make backups of data on DVDs. If you need Blu-Ray reading or writing, this device is not the right choice, as it does not support BD formats.

The most sensible thing here is the combination of compact size, dual interface USB 2.0 + Type-C, and decent speeds for CD/DVD reading and writing, making the ZenDrive U9M a practical tool for anyone who has not yet broken away from optical discs.