USB 3.0 Superdrive?

ddarko71 · Jan 31, 2013, 12:43 PM

Hey everyone! New here to the forum, and (eagerly) anticipating the arrival of my new 27" iMac (i7, 680MX, 3tb fusion), which is replacing my trusty but worn out 2007 20" iMac.

My question is this: I need an external CD/DVD drive, is there any possibility of one that takes advantage of USB 3.0 speeds available, or planned? Or are CD/DVD throughputs not fast enough to warrant anything faster than USB 2.0?

Thanks for the help!

OllyW · Jan 31, 2013, 12:45 PM

USB 2.0 is quick enough.

Outrigger · Jan 31, 2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddarko71

Hey everyone! New here to the forum, and (eagerly) anticipating the arrival of my new 27" iMac (i7, 680MX, 3tb fusion), which is replacing my trusty but worn out 2007 20" iMac.

My question is this: I need an external CD/DVD drive, is there any possibility of one that takes advantage of USB 3.0 speeds available, or planned? Or are CD/DVD throughputs not fast enough to warrant anything faster than USB 2.0?

Thanks for the help!

The CD/DVD speed won't even surpass 2.0 so there is no point in 3.0.

ddarko71 · Jan 31, 2013, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys. I figured that might be the case.

seanm9 · Jan 31, 2013, 01:55 PM

24×DVD-ROM is 265.92 Mbit/s....
48xCD-Rom is up to 48 Mbit/s....

USB 2.0 is 480 Mbit/s (real world 285 Mbit/s)

so a 24x dvd ROM might saturate the connection, but that is doubtful...

Long post short 2.0 is faster than your DVD (and BluRay)

and higher rotational speeds for drives are not gonna happen until they can find a way to stop the media from shattering at high RPM...

ddarko71 · Jan 31, 2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanm9

24×DVD-ROM is 265.92 Mbit/s....
48xCD-Rom is up to 48 Mbit/s....

USB 2.0 is 480 Mbit/s (real world 285 Mbit/s)

so a 24x dvd ROM might saturate the connection, but that is doubtful...

Long post short 2.0 is faster than your DVD (and BluRay)

and higher rotational speeds for drives are not gonna happen until they can find a way to stop the media from shattering at high RPM...

Thanks for the detailed info!! I suspected this was the case.

Lancer · Jan 31, 2013, 03:49 PM

One think I have noticed is at a retail level the Apple USB Superdrive is no more expensive than some other PC options and the upside is they look much better. Most of the others use the same ugly laptop tray load system.

I guess the biggest upside to Apple removing the internal DVD is choice and the fact that if the DVD fails you just need to plug in a new one. No expensive trip to Apple to have it replaced.

Personally I'm shopping for a BluRay option that I can hide off to the side and have it to use when needed.

Jan 31, 2013, 12:43 PM	#1
ddarko71 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NH	USB 3.0 Superdrive? Hey everyone! New here to the forum, and (eagerly) anticipating the arrival of my new 27" iMac (i7, 680MX, 3tb fusion), which is replacing my trusty but worn out 2007 20" iMac. My question is this: I need an external CD/DVD drive, is there any possibility of one that takes advantage of USB 3.0 speeds available, or planned? Or are CD/DVD throughputs not fast enough to warrant anything faster than USB 2.0? Thanks for the help!
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 12:45 PM	#2
OllyW Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: The Black Country, England	USB 2.0 is quick enough. __________________ Some Apple stuff Some other stuff https://soundcloud.com/disco-tramps
	1

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Jan 31, 2013, 01:49 PM	#4
ddarko71 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NH	Thanks for the advice, guys. I figured that might be the case.
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 01:55 PM	#5
seanm9 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cape Cod, MA	24×DVD-ROM is 265.92 Mbit/s.... 48xCD-Rom is up to 48 Mbit/s.... USB 2.0 is 480 Mbit/s (real world 285 Mbit/s) so a 24x dvd ROM might saturate the connection, but that is doubtful... Long post short 2.0 is faster than your DVD (and BluRay) and higher rotational speeds for drives are not gonna happen until they can find a way to stop the media from shattering at high RPM...
	0

Jan 31, 2013, 03:49 PM	#7
Lancer macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Australia	One think I have noticed is at a retail level the Apple USB Superdrive is no more expensive than some other PC options and the upside is they look much better. Most of the others use the same ugly laptop tray load system. I guess the biggest upside to Apple removing the internal DVD is choice and the fact that if the DVD fails you just need to plug in a new one. No expensive trip to Apple to have it replaced. Personally I'm shopping for a BluRay option that I can hide off to the side and have it to use when needed.
	0