The new iMac has no cd drive so how do I download software that I have?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

The new iMac hasn't got a SuperDrive to insert CDs and DVDs, so you can't install software from CDs and DVDs.

Instead, you have different ways to install the applications you have on DVDs:

1. Buy any external optical drive for your Mac and use it to install your applications.

2. If you have another PC or Mac, you can save the external optical drive cost and use Remote Disc > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5287?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US Note that this may be a bit slow

Buy the external Superdrive from Apple or use any other external optical drive.

Well, the Apple Store sells the external Super Drive for $79. There's nothing special about it except it's slim and matches the iMac. Otherwise, there are much cheaper ones.

I believe you just download Photoshop Elements, and put in the Serial number. That's what I did. The Adobe website specifically states that the serial number can be either purchased online or in a box form, but the actual product can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

The larger issue is that you should use a time machine backup of your old Mac before you get the new iMac. Then you can use the Time Machine to restore your new iMac to what you had with the old Mac. Everything transfers over with no problems.

They deleted the SuperDrive from the iMac to make it thinner and lighter, and because a lot of people don't need it.

You can still install DVD software if you buy an external optical drive or you use Remote Disc, but the main idea is to download all your apps.

If the apps you want to install are available as a trial and you can insert the product key, you can install the app using this way without any problem and it will work as if you have installed it from the disc

Now, with things like the Mac App Store and that most developers now release their applications only online, the SuperDrive is less useful than before, but you still need it if, for example, you have DVDs with movies and you want to watch them on your iMac

The only reason I might get the Super Drive is for playing DVD's. But my iMac is in my video room, and I only like watching Blue Ray.

All of my software is either from Apple's App Store, Adobe (which provides it online), or from a few vendors who moved to online downloading within the past couple of years. I think a few game developers still require DVD's, but even they now use Steam or a similar system to prevent piracy.

Photoshop elements can be downloaded (as posted previously)

The Adobe website specifically states that the serial number can be either purchased online or in a box form, but the actual product can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

As for Baboo (I assume you mean Bamboo)

Download is here, on the Wacom Website.

Munster13 wrote:

So there's no way to download these programs online? I understand since I already bought the software it might not work. I thought if I download the trial the put in my code would that work? But from now on is it that I can only buy software online? Why would they take that out?

Again, with respect to Photoshop Elements 11, you can download the trial program (which is really the full program), and then enter your serial number from your purchased box copy. As I mentioned, they allow you to purchase the serial number either from them directly or from the box.

Munster13 wrote:

Yeah that was my real question. I bought both these software in the box. Bamboo and adobe photoshop was a two pack with both video and photo editing. I'm downloading the free trial now but it's taking hours. Might just be my internet. But yeah I'm trying that so I will know hopefully soon if the photoshop can work like that. The other one is the bamboo. You have to buy it in the box because its a tablet you draw on. But I don't think there is a way to download it without having to buy it again online or just get the external drive

http://www.wacom.com/support/drivers

Munster13 wrote:

I tried that link and I don't see how it works? Is it a download?

Really?

That page goes here:

Pick your product and operating system and download the software