if I remember correctly, the Apple USB SuperDrive was originally designed for the MacBook Air (which doesn't have a built-in optical drive), and didn't necessarily work with other PCs and Macs of the time.
Apple says that it "is compatible with Mac models from 2008 and later that don't have a built-in optical drive" and that "MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models with USB-C ports require a USB-C to USB adapter (sold separately) to use Apple USB SuperDrive."
The technical support article for it says "If your SuperDrive doesn't respond when connected to an external display or USB hub, connect your SuperDrive to a USB port directly on your Mac."
How to connect the Apple USB SuperDrive - Apple Support