Where is the DVD/CD slot on new iMacs?????

I really can't thing of any software vender that ships their software on DVD/CD. The closest that I have come across is on a memory stick. You must realize the costing of shipping software on a CD is significant. Not only is their the burning of the disk, there is the artwork, the shipping costs, and the reissue of upgrades. It all has to do with money.

The "superdrive" was power hungry and created a lot of heat, besides the fact that it is very slow compared to... anything these days.

I have a lot of old videos that I would like to work on. I went out a purchased a device to do that.

I have a lot of old records that I would like to work on. I went out a purchased a device to do that.

I have a lot of music and movies on DVD I would like to work on. I went out a purchased a device to do that.

Listen, you can go out and buy a DVD/CD for a optical drive on Amazon for 15.00

Now, as far as safety and security of how software is delivered, do remember that there re many cases that the software was corrupted at the source so it did not matter what medium the software was shipped. Besides, why would you trust a site that did not have safeguards in place to protect you!

There is no built in drive and therefore no slot.

That fact has been discussed here for some time.

You can easily purchase an external burner/reader - there are many choices (including the USB Superdrive Apple is selling).

The CD/DVD SuperDrive is no longer built into the iMac. Basically it comes down to the fact that there is no optical drive thin enough to be installed into the ultra thin iMac enclosure.

You need to either purchase Apple's own external drive for $79 U.S.D or purchase a third party external CD/DVD optical drive.

Not trying to be sarcastic here, but we see a lot of these posts about the absence of the SuperDrive. Before plunking down a lot of money for a brand new iMac, it would be good to do a little research about what features are available or not available.

There is nothing in Apple's current iMac product specs that mention them coming with a built-in CD/DVD drive, now.

And, if you did a little research about the new iMacs like product reviews and such, you would've found out about the deleted optical drive in the new iMac design.

Plus, being so thin, some common sense would prompt you to ask before buying where would a CD/DVD go in such a thin computer.

I'm not sure how you're turning it on. The on/off button is on the back of the panel, you just need to depress it for a second or so.

As for the Super Drive DVD/CD, the world is changing. People just aren't buying software on DVD/CD's anymore. Most software is downloadable, and frankly that's safer. You store the unlock keys in the Keychain or a Password app. Music and video is mostly purchased from vendors like iTunes or Amazon. Apple made a choice to reduce the footprint of the iMac while increase specs by removing things that add cost but don't add value for purchasers. And if you need it, you spend $79 to get it. I've had my iMac 27" for about a month, and still haven't had a really good reason pop up to get a Super Drive. And I've got some powerful software running.

The only DVD's I purchase for watching are BluRay Discs, which aren't easy to watch on a Mac anyways, and most now have iTunes downloads sold with them, so I get a digital copy for when I want to watch on my iPad. I'm starting to run out of even minor reasons to get a Super Drive.

I've been around Apple long enough, I remember each time they eliminate something, people complain, and then the rest of the industry gets rid of it too.

That maybe the best reason to get rid of CDs only, but DVDs are still very much alive.

Not everyone is watch BluRay DVDs. Regular DVD movies are even cheaper, now.

And most users who do real work and projects still need either CD/DVD media to burn to store work on.

Esspecially, finished movie/video projects that you need to have a on a DVD to watch on a large screen TV.

Not everyone has Apple products or mobile to just stream and watch the video or movie from or be able to connect to a large screen TV.

And to tell the truth, I still create and burn music CDs for my car as CDs are much better sound quality than my iPod Touch connected by FM transmitter device. Also, I still buy the occasional album on CD as I like the idea of owning a music disc that I own that I can still use and import music and be allowed to do as I wish with it.

I only use ITunes to purchase music when I do not purchase the whole album. If I decide I like the majority of an album, I usually still purchase the physical CD and import into iTunes.

As for DVDs on a Mac, regardless of legal issues, I still have DVD movies that I will just convert and put on my Mac as I am not going to pay, yet again, for a downloadable digital copy of that movie with all sorts of restrictions about what I can do with it once I download it.

About the only the reason I agree about the SuperDrive's removal is that being mounted in the iMac in the vertical position, the SuperDrive was much more prone to early failures. That reason alone was probably a good reason to finally eliminate the drive.

Sorry, I'm going to disagree here - what is the "footprint" reduction on an iMac obtained after eliminating the side slot?

Now, I've never found the vertically installed, super slim drives to be reliable; in fact, I've had several replaced (free of charge) and have used a FW external LaCie burner for many years, but the point is that many movies, music, and software are still sold on disks. Without being able to burn your homemade movie to a disk, how are you going to get it to your clients, family, or friends? Mine do not want to download it from etherspace - they insist on a DVD they can watch on their large screen TV.

I choose not to use the cloud for storage and I will not ever upload any content because it will be hacked into/stolen sooner or later - no online server is impervious. I'm a purist and I choose not to download music - I prefer listening to music on my stereo; listening to Karajan with earbuds just does not do it.

So, you may not need a burner, but others - including myself - do. I shoot, edit, and burn video. I also listen to music CDs. I do not watch movies on my iPad - why watch it on a tiny screen when I can watch it on my large HDTV?

What makes downloading software "safer"? Unless you lose your install disk, why is it safer? I don't do business at MAS or the iOS app store - I buy my software directly from the developer. I do not agree with Apple's new ToS: buy it cheaper, but you don't own it, can't sell it, and must uninstall it when selling the Mac, the new owner must buy it again.

Having said all that, IMHO, the Superdrive was eliminated because it was a bust: they kept breaking down and were unreliable. What do you expect from a vertically installed drive where the media could shift 1/100th of an inch. It is irrelevant to me since I generally use my external anyway; however, the internal does come in handy when I want to copy a movie from one DVD to another - so much easier to accomplish when you have two drives.

I couldn't agree with you more! Totally with your mindset on this!

🙂

I did look at the specs but it didnt even dawn on me that I'd need to look to see if it had a cd slot. CD slots have been standard for so long I naturally just assumed.

If you are still within 14 days of your purchase you can return it for a full refund.

If I were you that is what I would do. Then purchase the below.

http://www.apple.com/macpro/

I recommend ordering it with two optical SuperDrive's.

What makes downloading software "safer"? Unless you lose your install disk, why is it safer? I don't do business at MAS or the iOS app store - I buy my software directly from the developer. I do not agree with Apple's new ToS: buy it cheaper, but you don't own it, can't sell it, and must uninstall it when selling the Mac, the new owner must buy it again.

There are very few advantages for the consumer when it comes to downloaded software.

I can remember several instances where I purchased software on disk and did not like the software. I was able to uninstall the software from my computer and legally sell the disk.

The shift from software on disk to downloaded software is 99% to the advantage of the SELLER.

Right now older versions of iLife 06 and 09 cost MORE than the current iLife 11. Why, because many people prefer iMovie 06 and are also trying to purchase iDVD (which has been discontinued by Apple).

If the software was only available on download users would be "out of luck" because Apple is the SOLE source. And when Apple removes software from its store, it simply ceases to exist.

I still have DVD movies that I will just convert and put on my Mac

You can't do that.

I will do as I will.

So those of you who want a SuperDrive. Go buy one. There's no law that's stopping you. I'd rather have Apple, for the same price, give me upgraded graphics, screen, processor, whatever, than the cost of a mechanical device. I back up my hard drive, and I buy my own hard drive. I'm capable of doing that. So are you with your need for a 1990's technology.

MichelPM wrote:

As for DVDs on a Mac, regardless of legal issues, I still have DVD movies that I will just convert and put on my Mac as I am not going to pay, yet again, for a downloadable digital copy of that movie with all sorts of restrictions about what I can do with it once I download it.

According to the Apple Support Communities Use Agreement, you are specifically prohibited from discussing "ripping DVD's."