Which CD/DVD superdrive will work with an M1 Mac Thunderbolt

Question

Which CD/DVD superdrive will work with an M1 Mac Thunderbolt

I need a CD/DVD read/write drive to work from one of the Thunderbolt ports on my M1 Mac Mini running Big Sur OS 11.1. I have tried the Apple superdrive via an Apple USB-C to USB-A dongle and this reads most of the time but does not have enough power to write either CD's or DVD's. Please do not suggest a powered hub unless you have a specific model in mind which has been tested and proved to work with the Apple Superdrive. I have already tried an Ansbell hub and it did not work on the M1 Mac Mini.

Posted on Feb 2, 2021 4:54 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 4, 2021 7:53 AM in response to RWilsonLaidlaw

Hi RWilsonLaidlaw,

We're glad you've come to Apple Support Communities. We'd love to help with this issue you're experiencing when using the SuperDrive.

So you're aware, SuperDrive is listed as compatible with your Mac mini with M1. Here's a link to the product page in the Apple Online Store:

Apple USB SuperDrive

To ensure we understand correctly, it sounds like you're using Apple original USB-C to USB adapter. Is this correct? Will it be possible to test with another adapter, and while connected to another USB-C port on your Mac?

Have you had an opportunity to restart your Mac before testing again? Are there any other devices connected when you experience issues writing to CD or DVD?

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

Feb 9, 2021 5:20 AM in response to barberlives123

The only non-Apple USB-C to USB-A single adapters I have are Apple other than the powered Anker Dock, which is meant to plug in to the side of a MacBook Pro with 2 x USB C ports, as is my unpowered Ansbell Dock. The layout of the USB-C ports on the M1 Mac Mini is not compatible with either of those docks. I have a second Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter, which I will try to see if the Superdrive will write with that. I don't want to keep buying different makes of USB-C to USB-A adapters at random, on the off chance they will work. It does work from the USB-A v.3 ports on the M1 Mac Mini but these are allocated to other purposes, whereas I have a vacant USB-C port.

The other point is that my Superdrive is old (2007 - Model A1270). Is this still the current generation of Superdrive or is there a later version?

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Answer 3

Feb 9, 2021 5:50 AM in response to RWilsonLaidlaw

Error on my post above. The first sentence should have read: "The only USB-C to USB-A adapters I have are Apple other than........"

I have ordered a new A1379 Superdrive, as I needed a second one anyway and the old one can go back onto my 2011 Mac Mini, where is it only used for reading music CD's, for which purpose it works fine.

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Answer 4

Feb 9, 2021 7:02 AM in response to RWilsonLaidlaw

RWilsonLaidlaw wrote:

Error on my post above. The first sentence should have read: "The only USB-C to USB-A adapters I have are Apple other than........"

I have ordered a new A1379 Superdrive, as I needed a second one anyway and the old one can go back onto my 2011 Mac Mini, where is it only used for reading music CD's, for which purpose it works fine.

Personally I would have got one of the other name brand

DVD/CD drives from Samsung or Sony as they are cheaper,

newer designs that are likely more power efficient. The A1379

design has not changed since it was released ages ago.

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Answer 5

hcsitas

Level 6

12,794 points

Feb 9, 2021 7:11 AM in response to RWilsonLaidlaw

Use the SuperDrive on the USB A port and move the existing device to USB-C with suitable dongle/cable.

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