An optical recording apparatus with a small form factor optical drive for driving an optical record carrier is operable in different accessing modes having different data rates depending on the power mode of the recording apparatus. A Switch is provided in the recording apparatus for switching a controller for accessing the optical record carrier for reading data from or recording data to the optical record carrier. A first accessing mode has a low data rate and is used in a low power mode, while a second accessing mode has a high data rate and is used or allowed to be used in a high power mode.