USB Accessory Needs Power

babowa wrote:

Some USB accessories require more power than what the USB port provides. I use some without a problem, but have a power adapter available just in case. I do not have an explanation why it would work on a different laptop - maybe someone else does.

That's rather difficult with the Apple USB SuperDrive. They have it specifically locked in the operating system to only allow its use when directly hooked up to Mac's USB port, or through designated adapters.

I did - same error message. I also tried a powered USB hub - same result. I admit, my SuperDrive is rather old. Could that be a problem?

Thanks for the good info. My point was that I already have one that is perfectly operational. But because I bought a new laptop, I need to buy another one. I definitely have a first world problem, don’t I? I can afford the laptop, but complain about a new drive........

• Just to confirm before I go buy one, my new laptop has NO USB -A slots. It only has 4 Thunderbolt slots. The issue is that the Apple SuperDrive I own has only an attached USB Type-A Connector Cable. So I’m having to go through an accessory to gain that functionality and the accessory is not powered. Do the drives you cite have a Thunderbolt cable?

You don't need one made by Apple - there are tons of CD/DVD drives out there; OWC has them, Best Buy does and just about any electronics store. Just make sure it says Mac compatible on the box.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/

Some USB accessories require more power than what the USB port provides. I use some without a problem, but have a power adapter available just in case. I do not have an explanation why it would work on a different laptop - maybe someone else does.

I do not have nor have I ever had an external Apple Superdrive. After having to have 2 internal ones replaced due to failure by Apple, I decided that it was best to get a more rugged tray loading device rather than the super slim slot loading one. I've used an external drive for at least 7 years or so.

You will need to check; I do not know the specs for all their drives. However, I bought mine some time ago and that only has Thunderbolt 1 and USB ports. There are also dozens of results searching for a dvd writer with usb-c port online. And, if you are not going through an adapter, you might be able to get away without its own power supply (personally, I prefer having one).

So after spending so much for the new laptop I now have to also upgrade my SuperDrive? Does Apple even offer such a drive? N.B. I don’t need a storage device, just a reader/burner.

Hi,

Using Bus powered USB Hub to supply power to USB SuperDrive.

You might need to use a simple USB-C to USB-A adapter. I bought one from $1.50 plus tax at a variety store called Daiso.

I would always assume that a CD/DVD player would need more power than is supplied by a USB port (or funneling it through a hub), so I only use one with its own power supply.