USB superdrive needs power?

Have you tried plugging the Apple SuperDrive directly into your Mac? If your Mac model does not have USB-A ports, then a simple USB-C to USB-A adapter should work.

Is this Satechi device powered?

bobbinsnthread wrote:

And as a “what were they thinking” question, whose brilliant idea was it to not include a cd/dvd drive in MacBook Pro?

Not to disagree with you, but why not go as far as "why did they not think to include an 8-track player" as well? ;)

A bit more serious, I would think it was for two reasons:

1. CD/DVD are outdated. Why would Apple want to keep adding a built-in player with their Macs for these? I'm sure you also noticed that full-size SD card readers are not included either. However, they still do sell these SuperDrives, and I would think, they would continue to support them for each newer Mac release ... but, up to a point in time where it is no longer feasible or practical. Until then, it's why I keep a 2011 MBP & a couple SuperDrives around, to play those CDs.
2. Apple, seeing the folks wanted lighter & thinner laptops, elected to not include them as they would take up too much space. For example, just compare a 2008 MBP vs. a 2023 one.