Windows 10: Compatible Windows 10 USB3 external CD / DVD drives?

The speed issue is a good question especially given the figures provided above. In fact speed is not a particular concern for me, I am happy with USB2 in that respect, it is just that if extra speed is available at little cost I might as well have it as not. My main interest is in being able to run various things from another port, which until recently I had been led to believe was not possible, plus learning about USB3 and its characteristics. About a year ago when I got the machine, a discussion in the forum which specializes in 2-in-1 tablet PCs (exclusively the lesser known Chinese ones) can be characterized by this quote from a post, referring to the USB3 type C port: "It can only be used for charging. Nothing else. You cannot connect a USB C hub to it. It will not work." We now know this o be entirely wrong, and the discussion in the forum evolved into how users were happily running a variety of devices and in particular HDDs. No one but me has mentioned DVD/CD drives so far, maybe my recent post will change that. But anyway, it seems to me that issues relating to HDDs might not be too different to DVD/CD. Yes? Power available from a small 2-in-1 is likely to be an issue shared by both, and I understand (or misunderstand) that USB3 handles power better than USB2. With regard to speed, compared to flash drives and digital cards, surely DVD/CD is significantly slower so if there is any speed benefit from USB3 in that respect it would be a welcome bonus.

I am now on my second Chinese 2-in-1 ('convertible', 'transformer', 'tablet PC') and have become a fan, not so much for the lower prices (though always welcome) but because of a number things I actually like them (versatility etc) I regret the lack of attention to them in computer magazines and forums.

For information my device is a Cube iWork Ultimate, 10.1. It is dual boot, both Windows and Android. TechTablets ,the website which specializes in these Chinese machines is European and English language.

 

I am returning the third none working drive tomorrow. I will try one more time, from a supplier who I have asked to confirm suitability for Windows 10 and RAM disks. If that fails I will try USB 2 drives rather than USB 3.

 

@clayto you need to have your PC's power adapter connected, when you run external drives that are powered by USB!

Even when you do that, I see in your "My Computer" details, that your power adapter only deliver 5V 2Amp = 10 Watt.
That is very much at the low side and could pose a problem. If that is the source of your problems, then buy a 20 Watt unit.
But you must have it plug'd in, when using external USB powered drives!

All DVD/CD/(BlueRay) burners need both +12V & +5V power to run! When power is delivered from a 5V USB connector, it
will be up-converted to +12V by a switching converter built in to the external drive.

A 10W power adapter is not enough after my opinion.

 

Thanks for the comments. I checked with other users of my tablet PC, some of whom confirm what I suspect which is that using a higher rated charger does not work (at all). I have tried a 3 amp one which was at hand with erratic results so reverted to the 2 amp charger. I would have thought a two cable drive might work if the power cable is not just another USB cable but connect to the AC supply? AC power is always connected for most devices. One of my hubs has this arrangement, but I have not found a DVD drive unfortunately. I wonder why? I am awaiting arrival of a USB 3 OTG cable which it seems I may need for any USB devices to work --- why? I am probably going to abandon the idea of a DVD drive for my Windows hybrid machine and use my old XP Laptop which I have recently brought back into use for printing.