Apple USB SuperDrive

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Dn2000 Author

Level 1

9 points

Apple USB SuperDrive

Just recently I've begun to have issues with importing audiobook tracks, from audiobook cds that I have purchased, into my Mac. Here's what happens: I will start importing the disc but towards the end of the disc the import will "fail" and the Apple USB SuperDrive will eject the disc. My Mac, via the USB SuperDrive and iTunes, won't even play the tracks. I don't have another computer (PC) or a disc-man to test the discs and see if they play using a different OS. These discs are brand new from Amazon. I reported the issue to Amazon and they've replaced the Audiobook...twice.

Has anyone had similar, or known, issues with the Apple USB SuperDrive? Is there a USB external optical drive (DVD/Blu Ray) that anyone recommends? I'm open to spending more money on an external optic drive that performs extremely well.

Thanks in advance!

PS, I couldn't find what category this fell under so I chose "hardware".

Posted on Jan 31, 2018 3:49 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 1, 2018 8:40 AM in response to Dn2000

The reviews for the Apple SuperDrive are almost universally "I hate it!" (1 star) and it appears to be one of the most returned Apple products.

I went on eBay and bought a USB CD/DVD/Bluray drive (Panasonic from memory) for a quarter of the price of Apple's SuperDrive which won't read or burn BluRays.

Apple may design nice cases but the inside is what counts unless you want a high tech doorstop.

If your SuperDrive is still under warranty make Apple replace it until (if) they give you a good one. Or get your money back.

Peter

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Answer 2

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,320 points

Jan 31, 2018 5:55 PM in response to Dn2000

PS, I couldn't find what category this fell under so I chose "hardware".

Historically you usually get the best answer with things like this by asking in the forum for the Mac to which the drive is attached. The problem with this section is that, in spite of Apple's poorly-chosen and non-intuitive label, it is for Apple hardware made before 1998! Therefore the fact that two of us actually spotted your question within two or so hours of posting is downright miraculous!

If you tell us what Mac you are using we can ask the Hosts to move the thread to an active forum section where you will more eyes on the problem--always a good thing.

How old is the SuperDrive? have you tried using a cleaning disk on it (if old).

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Answer 3

Stuart423

Level 6

9,264 points

Jan 31, 2018 5:43 PM in response to Dn2000

I know this is a ridiculous point, but you *do* have the superdrive on a flat table surface with the silver side up and the black side down, right?

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Answer 4

Dn2000 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 31, 2018 6:41 PM in response to Allan Jones

Ha ha. I figured this "category" would have that issue. But I wasn't sure where else to put it.

I have an iMac (Late 2014), and also a MacBook Air (Early 2015), that I've tried using the Apple USB SuperDrive (purchased in 2015). I have not tried using a cleaning disc.

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Answer 5

Dn2000 Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 3, 2018 9:08 AM in response to Allan Jones

The SuperDrive worked without issue, and to some extent still does, but the issue is that it all of a sudden stops importing and ejects the disc. I contacted Scholastic Inc. and they said that the issue would be with whoever we purchased the discs from (Amazon) but Amazon doesn't "make" the discs...they only distribute them.

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Answer 6

Dn2000 Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 31, 2018 6:31 PM in response to Stuart423

Yes. I have the drive on a flat surface right next to the Mac display stand.

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Answer 7

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,320 points

Feb 1, 2018 8:27 AM in response to Dn2000

I'll ask the Host to move you to the iMac forum.

Can you confirm that this drive worked on both the iMac and the MacBook Air in the past?

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Answer 8

romad

Level 3

933 points

Jan 31, 2018 8:33 PM in response to Dn2000

PS, I couldn't find what category this fell under so I chose "hardware".

The correct area would be here: iMac

Older Hardware, IIRC, is for discontinued products that don't fall under the specific areas. Examples would be Newtons, Apple IIs, non-PPC Macs, LaserWriters, etc.

But even here you should be able to get help.

One thing that bugs me is if you have an iMac with an internal optical drive, you can't use the USB SuperDrive EVEN if the internal optical drive is defunct! But if you want to get a non-Apple optical drive, I suggest going to macsales.com (Other World Computing) a long time Mac vendor.

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