I've followed the normal tips by searching support threads (cables, Finder settings, Disk Utility), and this drive model SDRW-08V1M-U will not mount on my M1.
Sequoia 15.5
Suggestions welcome, but also open to a drive that works.
Richard
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.5
I'm running a 2020 MBA M1 on MacOS 15.6.1 (Sequoia). I purchased the V1M over the weekend based on advertised Mac compatibility, although some reviewers on Amazon noted that a firmware upgrade might be required. I unboxed it and got it to work on my work PC (Win 11 Dell laptop) with no issue, although initially my MBA was having issues; it acknowledged that an accessory was connected, and the drive was getting power, but the inserted disc wasn't mounting in Finder.
After sleeping on it and scrolling through some support forums on Reddit, I had a thought - on this MBA, there are 2 USB-C ports, but only ONE of them is Thunderbolt compatible (the rear port). Ordinarily that's where I have my power brick connected, so when I tried connecting the drive, I'd plugged it into the front port. I swapped the connections this morning and the drive worked immediately.
TL;dr: make sure the drive is plugged into a Thunderbolt-compatible USB-C port.
I'm running a 2020 MBA M1 on MacOS 15.6.1 (Sequoia). I purchased the V1M over the weekend based on advertised Mac compatibility, although some reviewers on Amazon noted that a firmware upgrade might be required. I unboxed it and got it to work on my work PC (Win 11 Dell laptop) with no issue, although initially my MBA was having issues; it acknowledged that an accessory was connected, and the drive was getting power, but the inserted disc wasn't mounting in Finder.
After sleeping on it and scrolling through some support forums on Reddit, I had a thought - on this MBA, there are 2 USB-C ports, but only ONE of them is Thunderbolt compatible (the rear port). Ordinarily that's where I have my power brick connected, so when I tried connecting the drive, I'd plugged it into the front port. I swapped the connections this morning and the drive worked immediately.
TL;dr: make sure the drive is plugged into a Thunderbolt-compatible USB-C port.
"Asus Zen Drive not connecting to Mac Book Pro M1 - Substitute Ex. DVD Drive recommendations?: [...]also open to a drive that works."
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What I Use on my M1 and Intel Macs: External All-in-One Optical Writer - Verbatim. It comes with Nero burning software, and even burns and plays Blu-ray
An empty drive will NEVER mount and show in Finder. Finder only displays Mounted Volumes, not drives.
to see if the empty drive is detected, use Option-Apple Menu System Information > USB ...
to see if the Volume can be mounted, inset a data disc you know is readable and look in Disk Utility under the Device-name
"Asus Zen Drive not connecting to Mac Book Pro M1 - Substitute Ex. DVD Drive recommendations?: I've followed the normal tips by searching support threads (cables, Finder settings, Disk Utility), and this drive model SDRW-08V1M-U will not mount on my M1. Sequoia 15.5 Suggestions welcome, but also open to a drive that works."
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Using SDRW-08V1M-U on macOS:
A. Compatibility:
According to the manufacturer (Asus), it is most certain compatible with macOS, though which ones are not mentioned. See here: ZenDrive V1M (SDRW-08V1M-U) - Asus
B. Ask Asus:
Click on the AI Assistant located on the bottom-right corner of the homepage.
Thanks for the tips. What's funny is that the ASUS Zen Drive worked perfectly with my wife's MacBook Air. I returned the Zen Drive today, and expect a highly recommended ROOFULL External CD DVD Drive to arrive tomorrow. Hopefully, it will work flawlessly with my MBP M1.
Thank you for your time, such tips are invaluable.
Richard
Asus Zen Drive not connecting to Mac Book Pro M1 - Substitute Ex. DVD Drive recommendations?
