External CD reader compatibility with M-chip MacBooks

Most any after-market CD/DVD drive will work with your Mac mini.

I have a couple of older LG's that work fine for Importing Music from my CD collection.

https://www.lg.com/us/burners-drives?

lg dvd/cd drives for mac

If you buy an older drive that has a USB-A plug, you'll also need a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDLQ555/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z768LCW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

I have a desktop CD/DVD drive that I purchased from Other World Computing. They used to sell a CD/DVD version of the drive, a CD/DVD/Blu-Ray version, and an enclosure (for adding your own drive). Unfortunately, they stopped offering the preassembled drives for sale – but it looks like the enclosure will be coming back into stock.

.

Other World Computing – OWC Mercury Pro USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) External Optical Drive Enclosure for 5.25-inch SATA Optical Drives

Note that there are several ways of adapting USB-A to USB-C. E.g., my OWC optical drive has a USB 3.0 B port, and came with a USB-A to USB 3.0 B cable. You can get USB-C to USB 3.0 B cables that cut out the need for a separate USB-C to USB-A adapter.

Don’t have either MBP or MBA handy to test, but an M4-class desktop with macOS 26.6.2 runs Apple SuperDrive just fine. Music app finds SuperDrive, and plays an audio CD with no fuss. Also without a USB-C to USB-A adapter needed, in this case.

Note that in recent versions of macOS, you need to have

System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders > Music > Removable Volumes

enabled for the Music application to be able to access a CD.

I believe that in Ventura and later, you cannot create the Music > Removable Volumes entry manually. Instead, you run Music, and when it asks you to grant permission, you say Yes. Then the control appears in System Settings.

I bought one of the cheapest on Amazon a couple of years ago and it worked perfectly with DVDs.

Correction: It was eBay and cost £15 . . . make Antika.