Apple USB Super Drive Story (1 Viewer)

[John*Wells]

I upgraded to a new I Mac 2 weeks ago. When I bought my last one in 2011, it came with a physical media drive and a SD card reader as well as USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. I knew Apple had stopped including physical media drives in the last 5-6 years and converted to usb C and thunderbolt. So I found the Apple USB super Drive. I purchased it even though some of the Reviews said it only works with Mac books and only when directly connected to a USB port. I had purchased a non Apple USB C connector with multiple ports I plugged the Drive into the usb on the connector and it wasn’t being read. So today I purchased an actual Apple USB C to USB adapter. I plugged the drive into that and it works. Moral of the Story, use Apple on Apple connectors

 

[JohnRice]

Just be aware, those drives won't take any abuse and aren't very reliable. If you really need an optical drive for more than occasional use, I suggest getting a full size external one with an AC powered enclosure.

 

[John*Wells]

Just be aware, those drives won't take any abuse and aren't very reliable. If you really need an optical drive for more than occasional use, I suggest getting a full size external one with an AC powered enclosure.

My main use will be burning Music CDs when I purchase through the Apple store. In regards to full size drives is there one I should particularly look into?

 

[JohnRice]

I suggest getting an external one if you will be doing much burning at all. I've been out of the loop on that topic for a few years now, so I don't know what's what with them these days. I used to burn and rip so much I have a stack of four drives, which are rarely ever turned on anymore.

I'd probably just choose one from OWC. You just don't want a "slim" drive. There are three full size options, and might as well just go with the top one for $150 and keep it until optical no longer exists.

EDIT: If you really only want to burn CDs, the $79 one should be all you need.

 

[Thomas Newton]

So I found the Apple USB super Drive. I purchased it even though some of the Reviews said it only works with Mac books and only when directly connected to a USB port.

According to Apple, the drive is compatible "with Mac models from 2008 and later that don't have a built-in optical drive." 2008 would have been when the first MacBook Air came out. The 3.0 pound weight of that machine came, in part, from not having a built-in optical drive – and at first, the USB SuperDrive was an accessory specifically for the MacBook Air.

If I recall correctly, there was speculation that that drive draws more power than a device can count on getting from a standard USB-A port. There may also have also been some sort of secret handshake or custom IDE-to-USB bridge firmware involved (see ArsTechnica article).

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD564LL/A/apple-usb-superdrive

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2008/06/macbook-air-superdrive-modified-for-use-with-any-machine/

 

[Yeoman007]

I suggest getting an external one if you will be doing much burning at all. I've been out of the loop on that topic for a few years now, so I don't know what's what with them these days. I used to burn and rip so much I have a stack of four drives, which are rarely ever turned on anymore.

I'd probably just choose one from OWC. You just don't want a "slim" drive. There are three full size options, and might as well just go with the top one for $150 and keep it until optical no longer exists.

EDIT: If you really only want to burn CDs, the $79 one should be all you need.

I second John on this. I'm using the $150 model and it's built like a tank. It'll run all day. However, if you're sure that ll you want is DVD and CD, then the $80 model will be sufficient.

Just avoid the "slim" models. They aren't as durable.

 

[sfyalek]

Just be aware, those drives won't take any abuse and aren't very reliable. If you really need an optical drive for more than occasional use, I suggest getting a full size external one with an AC powered enclosure.

The Superdrive I got has been working for almost a decade. It never gave me trouble except when I connected it to the multi-port splitter. I have to admit that I use it less since I now put all photos and video on iCloud.