Apple External Super Drive not working on new M1 macbook pro

There's no way to add external power to the Apple SuperDrive so you may have to retire it and get a new, self powered drive. I use a drawer loading model that's self powered. Got it from OWC (MacSales.com). It has a faster transfer rate than the Apple Super Drive so I can rip audio books quicker. All of the new drives do have a faster transfer rate that the old Apple Super Drive. And it's the same price as the Super Drive.

I don't think any bus-powered optical drive ever worked well on any computer. If it was working somehow before, it was a bit of a miracle. They pull too much current for USB. We generally had to use Y-cables to power them from two USB ports.

I use a LG Slim Portable connected to a powered Hub on my Mini. Not very practical on a laptop, though. It came with a Y-cable (or the guy I got it from provided the Y-cable).

The M1's ports can't provide the power to run the Super Drive. The drive is minimum of 15 years old. The new iMacs require much more advanced optical dries that a 15 year old model.