How can I ensure my 24" iMac recognizes the Apple Super Disk?

If you mean an Apple SuperDrive then test it out, with a CD or DVD. IF it doesn't do what you want you have 14 days to return it assuming you bought it directly from Apple and not a reseller.

However, personally I would have gone with one of the offerings OWC has:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives

They specialize in Macs and everything they sell has been tested to work just fine.

I would recommend connecting directly to the back of the iMac however if you must use a hub, ensure it is a quality powered hub like a https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-hub

rstoehr2 wrote:

I was planning on connecting using a usb hub.

in almost all cases, that will not work. a superdrive needs to be connected directly to the Mac. and since your iMac has only USB-C ports, you can use an USB-C to USB Adapter to connect it directly. please note that all adapters are not created equal. with third party adapters, it is a craps shoot as to wether or not they will work with a superdrive.

lkrupp wrote:

hasan_egg wrote:

the SuperDrive will not work with modern Macs because the usb spec back in the day didn't support the power needed by the SuperDrive so apple had to overwrite the limits for SuperDrive and push more power but they have dropped that now your best option is a 3rd party drive

Blathering nonsense. My SuperDrive works perfectly well with my M1 Studio Max. No, you do not need a third party drive so pleased refrain from spreading incorrect information.

There may be a grain of truth to it. The USB SuperDrive has a reputation for not always working unless you plug it into a USB-A port on a supported Mac; or plug it into a USB-C port on a supported Mac, using Apple's adapter.

Apple USB SuperDrive - Apple

"The Apple USB SuperDrive is compatible with Mac models from 2008 and later that don't have a built-in optical drive. MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac models with USB-C ports require a USB-C to USB adapter (sold separately) to use Apple USB SuperDrive."

So a USB SuperDrive + Apple USB-C to USB adapter should work with any of the USB-C ports on a 24" M3 iMac. If the iMac in question has four USB-C ports, it would make the most sense to use one of the single-purpose USB 3 ones, so as not to tie up a more valuable Thunderbolt / USB4 port.

Note how when the USB SuperDrive came out, the only Mac that was officially compatible with it was the original MacBook Air. This is a clue as to the thing's power requirements. Otherwise, there would be little reason to keep other Mac users from purchasing it.

hasan_egg wrote:

the SuperDrive will not work with modern Macs because the usb spec back in the day didn't support the power needed by the SuperDrive so apple had to overwrite the limits for SuperDrive and push more power but they have dropped that now your best option is a 3rd party drive

There are at least two different versions of the Apple Super Drive. I do agree that a third party drive would be a better option.

I'd return the Apple Super disc & get something better...

https://www.amazon.com/ROOFULL-External-Portable-Rewriter-Compatible/dp/B07C1VP88H/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?

It has both USB-a & USB-c fittings for whichever connection you want to use.:)

the SuperDrive will not work with modern Macs because the usb spec back in the day didn't support the power needed by the SuperDrive so apple had to overwrite the limits for SuperDrive and push more power but they have dropped that now your best option is a 3rd party drive

rkaufmann87 wrote:

If you mean an Apple SuperDrive then test it out, with a CD or DVD. IF it doesn't do what you want you have 14 days to return it assuming you bought it directly from Apple and not a reseller.

However, personally I would have gone with one of the offerings OWC has:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/optical-drives/superdrives

They specialize in Macs and everything they sell has been tested to work just fine.

OWC's bus-powered drives have a "hydra cable" so that they can suck power from two USB-A ports.

This is not an ideal arrangement, and I would suggest an optical drive that comes in a desktop case, with its own power adapter. One might want to replace the rather short USB 3.0 B to USB-A cable that comes with the OWC desktop optical drives with a longer USB 3.0 B to USB-C cable ordered from a place like Amazon.

hasan_egg wrote:

the SuperDrive will not work with modern Macs because the usb spec back in the day didn't support the power needed by the SuperDrive so apple had to overwrite the limits for SuperDrive and push more power but they have dropped that now your best option is a 3rd party drive

Blathering nonsense. My SuperDrive works perfectly well with my M1 Studio Max. No, you do not need a third party drive so pleased refrain from spreading incorrect information.

sorry, but that is not entirely correct. there are many users that participate here that use the superdrive on their modern Macs including on M series Macs.