Superdrive 2020 requires Apple specific USB-C dongle

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Level 1

8 points

Superdrive 2020 requires Apple specific USB-C dongle

I have a superdrive and a USB-C hub that has multiple USB, HDMI, ethernet, you get the idea. My superdrive works but only with a the Apple specific but from Apple. If I use my USB-C hub which works I tested every point, it says it doesn't have enough power. That's not true, clearly this is prompting users to buy the Apple specific dongle. Does anyone know how to get around this? Awfully annoying that I have to borrow one when I have one that works perfectly.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 9, 2021 12:48 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rudegar

Level 10

182,250 points

Jan 10, 2021 2:33 AM in response to kitty2679

a hub that has ethernet, hdmi and... would be using some of the power the apples port can provide leaving less power for the superdrive, had the hub been ac powered rather than purely relying on power from the computer it would likely have worked

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,445 points

Jan 10, 2021 4:51 AM in response to kitty2679

I use a USB-A to USB-C adapter from Amazon and it works fine. It does not have to be an Apple brand adapter. but like others stated it cannot go through a hub.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,326 points

Jan 10, 2021 5:13 AM in response to kitty2679

Almost all CD/DVD writers need more power than provided on a single USB port. I have never seen one shipped without a Y-cable in order to combine the power output of two ports. They will often work on only a single port connection (mostly for reading only), but they generally need more power than can be provided through a single port.

As has been noted, your hub/docking station doesn't seem to provide the full power of the single port through its USB ports. Does it connect to only one USB-C port at a time, or does it have two connections to your MacBook Pro?

I have one that sounds the same as yours and it works with my external (LG) CD/DVD writer. It connects to the two USB-C ports.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

136,733 points

Jan 9, 2021 1:07 PM in response to kitty2679

FWIW, the SuperDrive was designed to plug directly into a USB-A port. Other than Apple's adapter, there is no workaround.

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Answer 5

kitty2679 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2021 2:09 AM in response to dialabrain

Yes, it is plugged into the USB-A ports on both except it prefers the Apple one and requires a power source when used with a third party hub. Ugh so annoying

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Superdrive 2020 requires Apple specific USB-C dongle

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