Mavido79
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Apple USB Superdrive problem

Situation:  The internal superdrive on my 2009 MacBook quit working so I purchased a new USB Superdrive.  And only after I plugged it in, did I find out that it's incompatible with my computer.  After checking the boards here I'm told that most USB optical drives on the market are compatible with my computer so that's something to look at.  However, later this year I plan on getting a new MacBook at which time I'll need an optical drive which works with the newer computers. 


Question:  Will any of the current after market optical drives work with the new MacBooks? Or should I just hold on to the Apple Superdrive that I currently have to use?


Thanks kindly in advance.

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Jan 12, 2016 6:26 AM

by OGELTHORPE,Solvedanswer
OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE
Level 9 (52,047 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Here are instructions for making the Apple Superdrive work with your Mackbook:

 

http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/use-the-macbook-air-superdrive-with-any-almos t-mac/

 

And Limnos is correct indicating that any DVD player will be compatible with your Mac.

 

Ciao.

Posted on Jan 12, 2016 10:02 PM

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Mavido79

Q: Apple USB Superdrive problem

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  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Jan 12, 2016 12:48 PM in response to Mavido79
    Level 9 (53,591 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 12, 2016 12:48 PM in response to Mavido79

    No firsthand experience but I believe many third party external optical drives will work with pretty much any computer that has USB (and be much cheaper than the Superdrive).  The only glitch of which I am aware is that Apple DVD Player application may fuss but there's an innocuous hack that gets around that, or you can use an alternative player such as VLC (I never use DVD Player).

     

    You can peruse the OWC/mac-sales.com web site.  If you know exactly what you want and need no technical support there are many places to look that may be a dollar or two cheaper but whenever I am unsure I call them and ask and am happy to spend the bit extra for the customer support.

  • by OGELTHORPE,Solvedanswer

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jan 12, 2016 10:02 PM in response to Mavido79
    Level 9 (52,047 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 12, 2016 10:02 PM in response to Mavido79

    Here are instructions for making the Apple Superdrive work with your Mackbook:

     

    http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/use-the-macbook-air-superdrive-with-any-almos t-mac/

     

    And Limnos is correct indicating that any DVD player will be compatible with your Mac.

     

    Ciao.