Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
External CD/DVD drive
- Thread starter christee
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Any? Find one with good reviews and USB and you will be fine. Try Newegg.com or whatever. Of course there is always the Apple external drive if you want a "pretty" one.
The Apple one might not work. It is specified that it is *only* for the MBA (and presumably the new Retina MBP). Some people have reported that the Apple external drive refuses to work on their MBP, iMac etc.
that should no longer be true as of 2011 macs and of course 2011 mac player. samsung makes a nice white one . I will look for a link
----------
]
that should no longer be true as of 2011 macs and of course 2011 mac player. samsung makes a nice white one . I will look for a link
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SE-20...F8&qid=1340983431&sr=1-5&keywords=samsung+dvd
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Please point me to something that shows the Apple one doesn't work with other macs? Newbies..... Sheesh.
Newbie? As in newbie Apple user? *eyeroll*
I might have been lurking on the forum for a while and not posted much before, but I've been using Macs since System 7.
Either way:
From Apple's own site (I assume as a humble newbie, Apple.com is a legit source to quote from, right? I assume that's the website of Apple and not the record company of the same name?)
Apple USB Superdrive:
System Requirements
MacBook Pro with Retina display
MacBook Air computer
Mac mini computer
URL:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD564ZM/A
Apple very specifically states that it is for the Air, the Mini and the rMBP, not that it works with any Mac, unlike something like an iPod or a printer where there requirement merely states a minimum version of OS X rather than naming specific models.
Old timers... sheesh.
Wow and apples website always states the exact specs and usage?!? Like how everyone of their computers can use more memory than they specify? All the macs listed are the ones without drives. That is why they are listed as working with it. Why would apple list a product that already had an optical in it? You really couldn't figure that out?Further you stated there are reports it doesn't work which I stated prove it and I still have yet to see a report from anyone who says it doesn't work! There is nothing special about apples external drive. Us old timers figured that out a long time ago! We also know when to keep our mouths shut when we don't know what we are talking about!
P.s. while we are getting our d***s out, my first apple was a IIe (pre-Mac) with a green screen...
Last edited:
LG Super Multi Blue Rewriter. One drive, does anything you want pretty much, and costs little.
3. The Apple USB SuperDrive is designed exclusively for use with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini's that do not have a built-in optical drive. The Apple USB SuperDrive must be directly plugged into the computer's USB port, and cannot be used if connected to a USB hub.
From here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2801?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
(Again, I assume Apple is a legit source)
Reports from people trying to use it with machines other than those specified, some involving changing system files to get it to work:
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20111107064435227
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/sw...ernal-superdrive-not-working-macbook-pro.html
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/apple-desktops/230544-macbook-air-superdrive-not-seen-imac.html
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3934159?start=0&tstart=0
(choice quote from that one:
Final word on macbook air superdrive with mac mini. The people at the genius bar showed me an internal apple advisory that said the external drive would not work with mac minis built prior to the mini refresh that occurred in early 2009. )
Software mod to enable support on non-official Macs:
http://www.hardturm.ch/luz/2011/10/how-to-make-the-macbook-air-superdrive-work-with-any-mac/
So yes, I am aware that the listed Macs are the ones without drives. I am also aware through personal experience after researching and testing this issue because someone asked me that it's not at all clear cut, and the only machines guaranteed to work out of the box are the ones Apple specifies in the system requirements for the drive. Some people have got it working, some people find it works right away on newer machines, some can't get it going at all. It's likely related to the power the USB port can supply. The standard 500 mA outlined by the USB spec is probably insufficient.
Just because Apple only listed the three machines that don't have optical drives *does not* mean that you can assume it works on any other Mac. If it does, then great, but it is by no means a certainty.
You were the one who started this off with a dismissal handwave at me like I was a worthless newbie without actually doing any research for yourself. Don;t get all pissy now that I've called you on it. I'm not after "a dick waving contest" I was merely responding to your arrogant proclamations about being right because of your seniority on a forum in an appeal-to-authority argument.
