I have a Apple M4 MacBook Pro running Sequoia. I need an external DVD drive. Suggestions?

I have tried a Verbatim drive and a POTVMOSL drive with no luck. They claim to be MAC compatible.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Jan 21, 2025 1:48 PM

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Jan 21, 2025 2:40 PM in response to WernsThink

Almost any drive out there should work.


What exactly happened when you used the Verbatim and POTVMOSL drives?


Do note, for the drive to appear on the Mac, there needs to be a readable disc in it and the "CD & DVD drives" settings need to be turned on in the Finder Settings for The SideBar and Desktop (under General).


Also, the drive needs to be connected directly to the Mac via an adapter or through a powered hub.

They won't work if the hub is powered by the Mac, or the adapter is not compatible.


I use this one with my M1 MacBook Air and it works fine.

click here ➜ Gotega External DVD Drive, USB 3.0 Portable +/-RW, DVD Player for CD ROM Burner Compatible with Laptop, Desktop, PC Windows, Linux OS ,Apple Mac - Amazon.com


Also note, if the drive is a Blu-Ray drive, the blu-ray portion will not work without extra software to read and / or write Blu-ray Discs. The DVD and CD portions should work directly though.


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Jan 21, 2025 4:30 PM in response to Phil0124

Thanks for the prompt reply.


The Verbatim drive powers up and a green light on the front of the box flashes on and off. The drive does not show on Finder.


The POTVMOSL drive flashes green but makes a grinding noise about every second or two. Like it's trying to read the disk but it can't. The POTVMOSL drive works fine with my old Mac (Big Sur).


I checked the Finder Setting for CDs, DVDs, and iPods and it is checked.


Both DVD drives are less than 6 months old


Is there any way to test that the USB C port is working correctly? Open to suggestions


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Jan 22, 2025 12:13 PM in response to WernsThink

You can go to System Settings ➜ General ➜ About ➜ System Report.


The drive should appear under Disc Burning (and under USB if it's connected directly) if its correctly detected, even with no disc inside.


You may need to go to File, Refresh Information to get it to show though.


If it shows up there, but no disc appears in Finder, it normally suggests the disc is not readable in Sequoia, try a different disc.


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Jan 22, 2025 12:29 PM in response to WernsThink

Connect the drives and check in Disc Utility and see if they are visible. They might be formatted or have proprietary formats or security features. If Disc Utility can see them then re-format them as AFPS.


If you're connecting through a USB-A to USB-C adapter then try a different one, especially if it's not an Apple one.

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Feb 8, 2025 7:05 PM in response to WernsThink

I have an LGSP80NB80 which always worked great with my Apples with Intel with a USB C port. Have a new M4 and tried it by connecting an Apple USB C to USB connector and it kept ticking like a clock. Read where it probably needed more power. I have a Targus 4 USB to USB C and thought that must have more power if it can read 4 USB flash drives. Tried it and that solved the problem. The CD is now downloaded. It read and writes and sells for around $40. I have used it for CDs but the box shows both DVD and CD.

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Feb 9, 2025 4:50 PM in response to MrM4

I got it to work with the help of Apple.


Apple suggested that I use their USB A to USB C converter. I also need to shut down everything else including my second screen. Only then can I get to consistently play the Verbatim DVD player.


Ridiculous


Thanks everyone for your suggestions



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I have a Apple M4 MacBook Pro running Sequoia. I need an external DVD drive. Suggestions?

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