External DVD RW drive compatible with 2026 MacBook Air M5

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Level 1

4 points

External DVD RW drive compatible with 2026 MacBook Air M5

Some help please.

I have a HP GP70N external DVDRW drive which worked with my old 2019 iMac. The iMac has now been replaced with a 2026 MacBook Air M5.

The HP GP70N does not work with my new MacBook. Although the drive shows in the System Report, it is not visible in Finder both with and without a disk loaded. I suspect that this is due to its USB A connection. Even using an Akasa USB A to USB C adapter doesn't help.

Can anyone advise on which external DVDRW drive will work with my MacBook Air please?

Many thanks!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jun 7, 2026 1:46 AM

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Answer 1

Russ_JK Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 7, 2026 4:27 AM in response to Russ_JK

Update.

The System Report tells me that the USB C ports on the Macbook are assigning 2.5V to each of the two ports. I think that the DVDRW drive requires 5V, so that could be the problem?

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Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

183,324 points

Jun 7, 2026 7:33 AM in response to Russ_JK

could be, because optical drives use a generic driver which means one size fits all (same with windows and linux really) some report issues with connecting them with usb hubs rather than directly into the computer.

my external optical drive came with a cable (micro usb in one end) and 2 usb-a connectors in the other, and no external power supply so in order for me to use it, I need to connect 1 of the usb ports into a computer and the other into an ac external charger with well usb-a connector in it.

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