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How to load programs on new MBPro without disc drive

V

vjaaan

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 13, 2010
346
8
I have been wanting to buy a new MacBook Pro but they don't come with DVD drives and I have a lot of programs I need to install.

I was told to install them from another computer using a network, but I cannot find a way to create a network from my Dell desktop running Windows 7. There must be a simpler way.

I also wondered if it is possible to copy an entire program disc (like my iWorks and iLife) to a flash drive and plug that into my new MBPro to install the programs. Can those program discs be copied like that? And can I install programs (apps, whatever) from a flash drive the same way?

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Here's the simpler way:
Plug in an external USB optical drive.
Apple sells one.
But, any brand of USB DVD burner will work.
 
Macs can use the DVD drive of another Mac. Without that, your choice is external USB drive or you could create an ISO of the CD/DVD with the Dell and mount it on the Mac.
 
And by ISO you mean......? If that is an actual copy of the program disc, can I put it on a flash drive to take over to the mac? And by Mount you mean......? Sorry, :) I'm actually not a computer dummy. But I have not come across that word before.
 
Yes, basically it means you transform the CD/DVD into a single file (ISO or DMG) and you "mount" it on the Mac to look and behave like an external drive. This is what you're doing every time you're installing a program from a DMG file that you've downloaded.
 
vjaaan said:
And by ISO you mean......? If that is an actual copy of the program disc, can I put it on a flash drive to take over to the mac? And by Mount you mean......? Sorry, :) I'm actually not a computer dummy. But I have not come across that word before.
Click to expand...

Here is an example.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/software-tools/a/create-iso-image-file.htm

Then disk utility can open (mount) the ISO on the Mac.

The external drive is easiest if you don't mind spending the money but you have nothing to lose if you have time and patience to try the other method.

Edited with correct link.
 
By far the easiest way is to get a USB DVD drive (you can get them for less than $20) - just plug it in and install your programs that way
 
vjaaan said:
like my iWorks and iLife
Click to expand...

iLife and iWork apps come included with all new Macs as digital copies (they get added to your App Store account)... so realistically for these two you will not be needing to install them from physical media.

With that said, iPhoto has been for all intents and purposes discontinued in place of Photos.
 
Phil A. said:
By far the easiest way is to get a USB DVD drive (you can get them for less than $20) - just plug it in and install your programs that way
Click to expand...

Will these drives will work with macs and PCs both? Actually, I'd just need it for the macbook. Just basic USB, right? Do you maybe have the names of a decent inexpensive ones like you mentioned?

Thanks.
[doublepost=1459111674][/doublepost]
TheIguana said:
iLife and iWork apps come included with all new Macs as digital copies (they get added to your App Store account)... so realistically for these two you will not be needing to install them from physical media.

With that said, iPhoto has been for all intents and purposes discontinued in place of Photos.
Click to expand...

Yes, and my main interest is in iDVD which I'm sure won't be on the newer versions. I'm assuming iDVD will run on the newer OS.

But, I also have outside programs, like Rosetta Stone and others.
 
vjaaan said:
Will these drives will work with macs and PCs both? Actually, I'd just need it for the macbook. Just basic USB, right? Do you maybe have the names of a decent inexpensive ones like you mentioned?

Thanks.
[doublepost=1459111674][/doublepost]

Yes, and my main interest is in iDVD which I'm sure won't be on the newer versions. I'm assuming iDVD will run on the newer OS.

But, I also have outside programs, like Rosetta Stone and others.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, over on Apple's forums there is a discussion about this and it sounds like iDVD mostly still functions on El Capitan, but to actually burn a functional DVD is a bit more complicated than before and a few of the animated themes do not work anymore. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7251191?tstart=0

Might be time to start looking at alternatives for your workflow on the DVD side.
 
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