If you want to save a bundle, buy an internal nec 3500, and buy an external enclosure that is made for dvd writable drives. You can get both from newegg for about $100, whereas you'll be spending a lot more than that if you buy an external.
The Lacie is a good choice, it has a pioneer 108 under the skin. Have you considered buying an enclosure/encasement seperately then buying your preferred drive? I'd recommend the encasement below and a pioneer 108. Its really easy to sent up and the enclosure can house hard drives or dvd drives. This one has a firewire"B" interface as well as firewire"A" and usb2.
Yeah
I have thought about getting an enclosure and then a drive but:
1. Don't have a preferance of drives yet
2. Is it a rugged and rucksac proof as an external drive
3. With a £65 case and £60 drive they come out at similar price to an external anyway..
Price. If your not going for Firewire "b" then an enclosure on the same site is a little cheaper. Once you've bought an enclosure it will be alot cheaper to upgrade, you'll only have to buy a drive, you probably won't be able to do this if you buy an external off the shelf. You can also quickly throw in an external hard drive if you choose. Its going to be as rooksac/rugged as any other external drive.