archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac

My first impression after receiving and opening the package is that the device itself felt sturdy, if not outright bulky despite its actual slimness, but it's well-built with a rather rough aluminum finish that seems to justify a product marketed as being 'premium'. It comes with a nice portable case that can fit the device and its cables, which is a nice addition to the product that I wasn't aware of when I initially ordered it.As my very first Blu-Ray drive, I am very satisfied with this item as it is capable of doing exactly what it says it can. I picked it over some other more reputable brands due to its affordable pricing and 4k support (although you need to patch its firmware first). By connecting it to my MacBook Air M2 (using the provided single type C cable, without needing an adapter or dual port connection like the Buffalo drive) and using the makemkv software, this drive can play (or rather when using this said app, extract) pretty much any Blu ray disc available - be it a regular 1080p BR, UHD (4K) BR, discs from any region or copy protection, bootleg discs, and afaik, even those with cinavia protection -at least in theory, as I haven't tried that many yet. They're also compatible with DVDs and CDs as well, and supports burning to all of these disc types. Since the app only does ripping and not playing, it is a good idea to have some external storage drives to keep these media for ease of access in the future.Despite being rather loud when in use and can be slow (up to 30 minutes or more when ring ripping a blu ray), I believe this Blu ray drive more than justifies its price. I've seen players twice the price that doesn't support half of these features (usually lacks 4k support and is fixed to a certain playback region/ has cinavia due to licensing requirements, etc.).Would recommend this external Blu ray drive for those who doesn't have any device to play 4k Blu ray discs yet (although cheaper/better alternatives exist for non 4k drives). It's affordable, does everything, and seems durable. The only ceveat is that there might be a lot to learn when getting started, especially when it comes to patching the firmware for 4k support and using makemkv - although this issue isn't specific to this brand/model, it's a generic software limitation for all such drives. However, many tutorials are available online and they are trivial to work with once you are familiar with it.

For anyone unsure like I was, this item is also known as "BU40N" or "LG slim BU40N" and it's the one you want. Is fast, quiet and works great for what I needed it for. IYKYK.

Works great, but there is NO software to run 4k, 8k, or UHD even though Cyberlink and others claim they do. Cyberlink actually told me they will not support 4k, 8k, or UHD. That's what's called false advertising. The player itself works excellently on Blu-ray and below.

I am now using my third Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD Blu-ray Writer Super Driver For Apple-MacBook (hereafter, APED) in about as many years. The first, used gently and regularly though not constantly, lasted about two years before simple DVDs began freezing or skipping on me. The second wheezed along not longer than about eight months, after which I received from Amazon an 80% refund after the product's return. I've now used #3 for about three months. So far, so good. I don't anticipate durability.With such a checkered history of performance, why do I keep using the same product? First, I can't afford anything more expensive, which might or might not perform more dependably. Second, techno-geeks whom I trust have told me that they know of no product of comparable price that is better or more reliable. *Sigh.*To answer some basic questions: 1. Yes, this product is simple to use, while it's young and useable: simply plug it, with or without its supplemental cable, into your Mac's USB port(s). 2. It is purportedly equipped to play DVDs or Blu-Ray discs from Regions 1–6. I have only made one, brief attempt with a Region 2 (U.K.) disc, with indifferent results. 3. Given its seeming fragility and short life expectancy, handle it with care. Keep it in its sturdy, zippered plastic case when not in use. I also place a saucer of milk out for it before retiring, in an attempt to keep it pacified. 4. Purchase a supplemental warranty for the product, when the manufacturer's own runs out. If my experience is typical, you'll almost certainly need it.A closing lament: Had not Apple decided that (a) laptops must be designed as slender as onion-skin and (b) an entire nation, or world, of users would immediately quit their collected CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays for Bluetooth streaming, we'd still have built-in disc players on our computers—and no need at all for finicky products like this.UPDATE 32 DAYS LATER: That third Archgon I owned just croaked on me, after only four months of sporadic use (about one hour every two or three days). Last Tuesday, it simply stopped working when I tried to play a CD. I treat machinery with care: the unit was never dropped or mishandled in any way. It simply died after 120 days of intermittent use. I have now dropped my three-star rating to one star. For whatever reason—cheap materials or incompetent manufacture—I have found this to be an inferior product that I cannot recommend. I take no pleasure in this review, but I now have fewer saucers of spoiled milk.SECOND UPDATE 84 DAYS LATER: In the interest of accuracy and fairness to Archgon, whose employees must put bread on the table like the rest of us, my third disc drive, which died on me 52 days ago, has been resuscitated by the IT wizards where I work. Last night I played both a CD and DVD with it. I haven't yet attempted one of my Blu-rays, because there's no point in pushing my luck. This is turning into a boring technological soap opera. Every day brings a new surprise and a little suspense: will the machine work this morning? For that unreliability I'll leave my rating at one star, placate the little gizmo with another saucer of milk, maybe laced with with bourbon. Strike that. The gizmo gets the milk. I'll take the booze.FINAL UPDATE: One year and nearly two months after purchase, this product finally died on me. One evening I was using it to watch a DVD. I paused play, to paddle into the kitchen for my saucer of milk. When I returned, I could not coax the machine, never disconnected, into playing. It never again played another DVD. It was able to handle CDs, but, for its steep price, that was not sufficient. As for Blu-rays, forget it. I had long since given up on that capability.I want to be very clear to anyone who reads this review and is trying to decide on a purchase.1. This was my THIRD Archgon external disc player in as many years. I was willing to give the manufacturer full benefit of doubt and, during that period, was informed by some acquaintances that it was probably the best equipment I could hope for. All of these machines, all identical to the model under review, died within the space of a year, give or take.2. Apart from one or two attempts with a Blu-ray disc, I never attempted any maneuver fancier than (a) playing a CD on this unit, through my laptop, or (b) playing a standard DVD in the same way.3. I never abused any of these units. After use, or attempted use, all were safely stored in the enclosed zippered boxers that came with the unit. No unit was ever dropped, jostled, submerged in water or dumped in hydrochloric acid. All simply rested on my desk, without disturbance.4. I can speculate about causes for my problem but can prove none. It may be that this unit is simply friendlier for PCs than for Macs. That theory is supported by the oddly designed cables that accompanied the unit. If that conjecture has basis in fact, then the manufacturer should transparently warn customers that its product is not dependably compatible with Apple/Mac. The plug-in cable connections from disc drive to laptop may have eroded across time—though, again, I was very gentle in plugging, never forcing things. One tech specialist I spoke with today hypothesized that the built-in laser for playing DVDs may simply have died: not once, but three times on three identical units. Who knows? Who cares?I gave Archgon every chance to make good. Three times in three years it failed me. I have purchased my last Archgon product. I did purchase a warranty on the unit but by now am so frustrated that I'll waste no more time, simply eat all the money I wasted, and start fresh, moving in a different direction that satisfies needs and wants.Good luck to you.

This sleek player is the best portable drive out there for playing Blu-Ray titles. However, I was not able to get it to play any 4K UHD titles. I have Windows 11 Pro PCs with current NVIDIA adapters. The 4K tiles would load and be recognized, but they would never play. I got a variriety of timed out error messages. The seller is responsive and earnest and they pointed me to a nifty free test tool on Cyberlink's weibsite. I hope that in the future a firmware fix from the manufacturer in China will solve the 4K UHD problem. I still rate this as a worthwhile drive because it is so great as a Blu-Ray player.