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Will any external DVD drive work with Mac?

Author

William Cox

Published Feb 25, 2026

Will any external DVD drive work with Mac?

Both the Apple USB SuperDrive and MacBook Air SuperDrive are compatible with all Macs made after 2008, but there's also a wide range of non-Apple CD and DVD drives out there that are typically much cheaper, and will work with most MacBooks (just make sure you check the drive's exact specifications before making a

Consequently, can you use any external CD drive on a Mac?

Both the Apple USB SuperDrive and MacBook Air SuperDrive are compatible with all Macs made after 2008, but there's also a wide range of non-Apple CD and DVD drives out there that are typically much cheaper, and will work with most MacBooks (just make sure you check the drive's exact specifications before making a

Also, how do I get my Mac to recognize my external DVD drive? Check Apple's Disk Utility to see if an external drive is showing up. Disk Utility is within System Preferences, or you can find it using Spotlight. If it is visible, then click the option to Mount, which should make it visible on the desktop and in the External Drives option in the Finder menu.

Beside above, what external DVD drives work with Mac?

Best CD/DVD Drives for Mac 2020

  • No adapter needed: NOLYTH USB-C Superdrive.
  • Cupertino's own: Apple USB SuperDrive.
  • USB-C and USB 3.0: VersionTECh External CD/DVD Drive.
  • Inexpensive choice: LG GP65NB60.
  • Also worth considering: Verbatim External CD/DVD Writer.

Which MacBook has a DVD drive?

MacBook Pro

What is a good external CD drive?

1. Asus ZenDrive. The Asus ZenDrive (appx. $37) is certified for use with all operating systems, including Android, so if you have multiple devices, you can use it with all of them.

Can I connect a DVD player to my MacBook Pro?

Apple sells a USB SuperDrive that connects to any MacBook Air, MacBook Pro with Retina Display, iMac, or Mac mini. Once connected, the external SuperDrive acts just like an internal one. The user inserts a DVD and the SuperDrive will play DVDs, CDs, and record both CDs and DVDs.

What should I look for in an external CD DVD drive?

Here's the list of options and features you should always take into account in order to choose the best external DVD drive for your device.
  • Speed.
  • Compatibility.
  • Size.
  • Noise.
  • Build quality.
  • Single-cable operation.
  • LG Electronics Ultra Slim DVD Drive (GP65NB60)
  • Pioneer BDR-XD05B.

Can you buy an external CD drive for a laptop?

External CD Drive, USB2. 0 Portable CD/DVD +/-RW Drive Slim DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner Superdrive for Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple MacExternal CD Drive, USB2. 0 Portable CD/DVD +/-RW Drive Slim DVD/CD ROM Rewriter Burner Superdrive for Laptop Desktop PC Windows Linux OS Apple Mac.

Do I need USB 3 for external DVD drive?

It doesn't matter you use an USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 external CD/DVD Drive, there are rated read/write speeds for CD/DVD/Blu-Ray, they will function accordingly, no matter you use USB 3.0 or 2.0 or even an SATA Port (For internal drive).

Can you connect an external DVD drive to a laptop?

You can use an external CD drive on both your desktop and laptop. Insert one end of the USB cable into the external CD drive. Plug the other end of the cable into your computer's USB port. Usually the computer will recognize the external drive and automatically install the drivers for the device.

Why can't I play a DVD on my Mac?

Actually, in most cases, your DVD won't play on Mac just because the DVD you are playing is encrypted. Rather than purchasing an extra DVD drive ($40 or so) for an limited and uncertain DVD playback on Mac, let's rip DVD to MP4, MOV or other video formats supported by Mac for watching without DVD drive/player.

Is LG Slim Portable DVD Writer compatible with Mac?

LG Electronics 8X USB 2.0 Super Multi Ultra Slim Portable DVD Rewriter External Drive with M-DISC Support for PC and Mac, Black (GP60NB50)

How do I play a DVD on my external DVD drive?

How to Play a DVD on My Computer With an External Hard Drive
  1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer through the provided USB data cable. Power the drive on.
  2. Obtain a new DVD movie player program.
  3. Double-click the downloaded file.
  4. Insert the DVD movie into your computer.
  5. Click "Start," the "Computer" or "My Computer," and double-click the removable device icon.

How do I use Rioddas external DVD drive?

Rioddas external DVD drive is powered by USB port.No external driver and power needed. Just plug it into your USB port and the DVD driver will be detected.

Does an external DVD drive play CDs?

An external DVD drive will only play DVDs and CDs. However, if you purchase an external Blu-ray drive, it will have the capability of playing Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and CDs. Our take: A slim, lightweight external DVD drive that is highly portable. What we like: The ZenDrive is compatible with both Mac and Windows.

Can you connect a DVD player to an IMAC?

You can't use any ole' DVD player on your Mac. You need to use a special DVD player designed to work with computers and Macs. Like Apple's DVD player that is designed to work with Macs that no longer have a built-in CD/DVD optical drive.

Can I connect a DVD player to my MacBook air?

The easiest option is to simply purchase an external USB DVD drive. Apple makes such a thing in the form of its $79 USB SuperDrive. Just jack it into your MacBook's USB port and shove your discs into it as needed.

What does an external DVD burner do?

A DVD burner is either an external add-on or an internal DVD drive for a PC or Mac. These devices are also called DVD writers. DVD writers record video and read and write computer data and store it on a blank DVD.

What is the best external DVD drive for laptop?

The Best External Optical Drives for DVDs and Blu-rays
  • Our pick. Asus ZenDrive U9M. The best USB DVD drive.
  • Our pick. LG BP60NB10. Best for Blu-rays.
  • Runner-up. LG GP65NB60. A cheap and capable DVD drive.
  • Runner-up. Pioneer BDR-XD07B. Faster at DVDs, slower at Blu-ray.

Can I use an external DVD drive to play PC games?

Yes, as long as those games don't require the dvd/BR to be in the drive while playing, in which case you'll need the dive attached while playing.

How do I connect an external CD drive to my Mac?

To use your SuperDrive, connect it to a USB-A port on your Mac*, then insert a disc. Make sure that the aluminum enclosure of the SuperDrive is facing up. To connect your SuperDrive to a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or USB-C port on your Mac, you can use one of these adapters: USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

How do you connect an external hard drive to a Mac?

Connecting the Drive. Plug the hard drive into the Mac using the cable that came with it. Most hard drives connect via USB, so you'll just need to plug the USB cable into an open port on your Mac. You'll typically find at least one USB port along each side of the Mac.

Why can't I copy files from Mac to external hard drive?

Mac OS X do not support writing files into NTFS filesystems by default and you cannot copy files to external hard drive from mac. But Mac do support reading the NTFS drives and copying files from NTFS HDDs. Most of the Mac users don't know this and will buy portable external hard disks to expand the storage space.

How can I play a DVD on my Mac without a DVD drive?

After you have, open the Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound, and then click DVD or CD Sharing Options. Check the “Enable DVD or CD Sharing” box here. Once you've enable the remote disc sharing on either a Mac or Windows computer, you can open the Finder on your Mac without a disc drive.

How do I copy a DVD onto my Mac?

Need a copy of your DVD?Mac OS X does that
  1. Insert your DVD into your Mac.
  2. Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).
  3. Click on "New Image" in the Disk Utility main window.
  4. Choose a name and a destination from the "Save As" window.

How do I download a DVD onto my Mac?

The easiest way is to use Spotlight. Click the little Spotlight icon in the upper right corner of your Mac's screen. Search for DVD Player, and the app's icon will appear at the top of the Top Hits. Double click on the icon and the app will launch.

Do Macbooks have DVD slots?

It comes with the CD/DVD slot. The newest Apple - MacBook Pro with Retina Display - 13.3" however does not come with the CD/DVD slot.

What was the last MacBook Pro with a DVD drive?

The last Apple Mac to ship with an optical CD or DVD drive was a 13in MacBook Pro, originally released in June 2012, but on sale until October 2016, when Apple discontinued that model, more information about the last Mac to ship with a SuperDrive below. Since that date Apple has not sold any Macs with optical drives.