External Superdrive Compatibility
I'm looking to replace my broken DVD drive with an external Superdrive- the specs say "Late 2012 iMac or later." I'm running Yosemite on a late 2009 iMac- will it work? Thanks, Jim
iMac
I'm looking to replace my broken DVD drive with an external Superdrive- the specs say "Late 2012 iMac or later." I'm running Yosemite on a late 2009 iMac- will it work? Thanks, Jim
iMac
Apple's USB SuperDrive requires more power than is normally allowed for an USB device, and therefore isn't intended for Macs which shipped with an internal one. If you want, you can get it to work by editing one of the computer's plist files.
(130186)
Thanks for your reply, Niel- I'm glad I asked. I tried an LG drive which was supposed to be compatible but wasn't. Instead of messing with the plist files, any suggestions for compatible drives? Thanks Jim
How/why wasn't it compatible? Most external burners are - however, they will not show up on the desktop; once you insert a CD or DVD, that icon should show (if you have your Finder Preferences set to show them). I have an OWC drive (I believe it may actually be an LG drive in an OWC enclosure because there is an LG logo in front):
I personally prefer the Apple Super Drive only because it is an Apple product. As Babowa has pointed out there are several different options when it comes to CD-DVD Burner/Players. The one he has shown is $99.00 and the one from Apple is $79.00, here is a link to Apples.
Good Luck and Cheers
Don Morgan
If Niel is correct (see thread) about the Superdrive how will I know that my late 2009 iMac will have enough power for the drive you suggest? Thanks.
Since your 2009 iMac only has USB 2, it might be too slow which might result in very slow or unpredictable burns; however, does it have a Firewire port? If so, the drive I linked has firewire and that would be faster than USB 2. Even though my newer iMac has USB 3, I am using the firewire cable along with a Thunderbolt adapter (mostly because I am already using all my USB ports).
Makes sense - thanks. And I believe that drive has plug-in power so it should work. Jim
External Superdrive Compatibility