Anyone know if the SuperDrive with work with the new iMacs and a USB-A to USB-C adapter? It should in theory but I remember the SuperDrive is picky about the port it’s plugged into. Thanks!
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New iMacs & SuperDrive
- Thread starter brerlappin
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Fishrrman
macrumors Nehalem
My guess -- and it's ONLY "a guess" -- is, "no".
I've read that it's somehow possible to modify something (in the OS, perhaps?) to "hack" the SuperDrive to work with some Macs it won't work with "out of the box". But I know nothing more about this.
See:
If you need CD/DVD/BluRay capacity with the new iMac, it would probably be better to get a 3rd-party USB drive.
But you have to be careful here, too.
Some 3rd-party drives come with a "Y cable" that needs TWO USB ports to operate (to get enough USB bus power). You could use up "port space" that would be needed for other things.
A powered hub might work here... uncertain.
I've read that it's somehow possible to modify something (in the OS, perhaps?) to "hack" the SuperDrive to work with some Macs it won't work with "out of the box". But I know nothing more about this.
See:
If you need CD/DVD/BluRay capacity with the new iMac, it would probably be better to get a 3rd-party USB drive.
But you have to be careful here, too.
Some 3rd-party drives come with a "Y cable" that needs TWO USB ports to operate (to get enough USB bus power). You could use up "port space" that would be needed for other things.
A powered hub might work here... uncertain.
4sallypat
macrumors 603
I use the Apple SuperDrive on my M1 Mini connected to the back of the Apple 27" Thunderbolt display and it works great!
So I would assume the M1 iMac will do the same.
The new iMac I am pre-ordering this Friday will also connect to a second display (27" Apple Thunderbolt) and it has 3 USB-A ports on the rear so I will connect the SuperDrive to it.....
My M1 Mini w/ 27" TB display and SuperDrive:
So I would assume the M1 iMac will do the same.
The new iMac I am pre-ordering this Friday will also connect to a second display (27" Apple Thunderbolt) and it has 3 USB-A ports on the rear so I will connect the SuperDrive to it.....
My M1 Mini w/ 27" TB display and SuperDrive:
I'm curious. Will the superdrive work properly connected directly into the M1 Mac Mini's USB A port?
4sallypat
macrumors 603
M1 Mac Mini works perfect with the SuperDrive connected direct to it on the back.
I read/write DL DVD discs so that's important.
I also have USB-A ports on the back of the 27" Apple Thunderbolt display as well so I have plenty thanks to the display.
As for the incoming M1 iMac, I will be using a USB-C dongle that has: SD, Mini SD, HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C pass thru, USB-A (3 ports)...
caligurl
macrumors 68040
I sure hope so cuz I just ordered one along with a dongle! We're going from the last of the iMacs to have a dvd drive.... I looked at a few others, but the reviews were iffy (and the whole 2 plug ins) so I just bit the bullet and bought the superdrive. They list that it works with the other M1 chip machines so i assume it's going to. *fingers crossed*
That's a big upgrade from a 10 year old machine. When I move on from my 2011 iMacs I will miss having the built-in DVD drive.
At this point if I was buying an external drive I'd look for a Blu-Ray drive as they can play DVDs as well.
4sallypat
macrumors 603
Yes it will work - my SuperDrive is connected directly to the USB-A port on the M1 Mini so using an Apple USB-C to USB-A dongle should work.
I'll be testing it out on Friday with both the Apple adapter and the Black Box dongle.
I don't use Blu-ray - only DL DVD discs...
caligurl
macrumors 68040
i did think about that but we don't buy/rent blu-rays and if we did we wouldn't play then on our computer...
i still have time to change my mind and return the superdrive if i do decide on blu-ray...
I mistakenly put my sad card in my 2011 Mac drive lol. Got it out eventually with some paper but I tried a disc the other day and it just spins and spins,I eventually got that out too, not bothered to be honest,I just happened to find a disc.