We got this to play DVDs on our MacBook Air and iMac, but didn't have any luck with it.  It would sometimes recognize that a DVD was in it, but it was never able to play for more than a few seconds.  I tried using both connections on the USB cable (it has two, presumably for more power if you are not getting enough with the main plug).  I could see I/O errors in the console.  Anyway, it never worked.