Does iMac have an optical drive?
Emma Newman
Updated on March 09, 2026
All iMacs come with an optical drive, which Apple calls a SuperDrive. Unlike drives that have a tray that extends from the computer, the SuperDrive consists of a slot into which you insert a disk. The iMac's optical drive can read CDs, CD data disks, DVDs and DVD data disks.
Correspondingly, when did Apple stop putting DVD drives in iMac?
The last Apple Mac to ship with an optical CD or DVD drive was a 13in MacBook Pro, originally released in June 2012, but on sale until October 2016, when Apple discontinued that model, more information about the last Mac to ship with a SuperDrive below.
Likewise, how do you play a CD on an iMac? Play CDs in Music on Mac
- In the Music app on your Mac, choose Music > Preferences, click General, then click the “When a CD is inserted” pop-up menu and choose Play CD.
- Insert an audio CD into your computer's CD or DVD drive, or into an external drive that's connected to your computer. The CD begins to play.
Simply so, do New iMacs have disc drives?
No Macs in Apple's current lineup have an optical disc drive. Apple has gotten rid of them for good (setting a precedent with the MacBook Air back in 2008). If you really need to use old fashioned CDs or DVDs with your Mac, you can pickup an external SuperDrive from Apple so that you can use them.
Do Macbooks have disc drives?
Apple No Longer Sells a Mac With a CD Drive. Apple has discontinued its non-Retina legacy MacBook Pro, the last Mac it sold with a built-in CD/DVD drive. As with the 12-inch MacBook, a dongle would be needed to use the SuperDrive with new MacBook Pros that have switched to USB-C ports.
Related Question Answers
What was the last iMac with a DVD drive?
The last Apple Mac to ship with an optical CD or DVD drive was a 13in MacBook Pro, originally released in June 2012, but on sale until October 2016, when Apple discontinued that model, more information about the last Mac to ship with a SuperDrive below.Can I use a CD drive with an iPad?
No, you cannot. Your iPad has very limited interface capability through the Lightning connector. If you're trying to transfer files from a computer, there are several other ways of doing that. If you want to play music CDs, there is no way.Do new computers have CD drives?
Modern laptops — and even many modern desktop PCs — are dropping disc drives. Your options range from purchasing an external drive you can plug in via USB when you need the discs to converting those discs to digital formats so you can access them on demand.How do I burn a CD on my Mac without a CD drive?
Use a shared DVD or CD- On the Mac that doesn't have an optical drive, open a Finder window.
- Select Remote Disc in the Devices section of the sidebar.
- Double-click the computer's icon, then click Connect to see the contents of the CD or DVD available from that computer.
How can I play a DVD on my iMac?
Playing a DVD on a Mac is extremely simple. Just insert the DVD into your Super DVD drive (Super DVD drive is Apple's optical disc reading and writing technology). The DVD player will open automatically and start playing the disc. You can open it using the Menu and click Play to run the movie.What is the best external optical drive for Mac?
The Best External USB Drive for Mac One more representative of the best CD and DVD drives is Apple USB Superdrive. Its portable design is great for mobile workstation. Having this external drive you will be able to play and burn CDs as well as DVDs, create backup discs and install program software.Why did Apple get rid of CD drives?
Something had to give: portability or optical media. The industry followed Apple's example and figured it needed to remove built-in CD/DVD drives to enable thin notebook designs, such as this Series 9 Ultrabook from Samsung. And earlier in January, Apple launched the iPad.How do I get my Mac to recognize my external DVD drive?
Open Disk Utility and see if your external drive appears here. Find Disk Utility in Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. If your drive shows up but is not mounted, select the mount option which should mount that disk. To verify, click on the Apple logo in your screen's top left corner and select About This Mac.Does iMac 27 have a DVD drive?
All iMacs come with an optical drive, which Apple calls a SuperDrive. The iMac's optical drive can read CDs, CD data disks, DVDs and DVD data disks. You can use it to play audio CDs, watch DVD movies and load files and applications from data disks.What is the best external CD DVD drive for Mac?
The Best External USB Drive for Mac One more representative of the best CD and DVD drives is Apple USB Superdrive. Its portable design is great for mobile workstation. Having this external drive you will be able to play and burn CDs as well as DVDs, create backup discs and install program software.How much is an external DVD drive?
I like the Dell DW316 External USB DVD+-RW drive. It is perfect for laptops or any computer without a working internal optical drive. It is a nicer than average USB 2.0 DVD+-RW drive in an above average package.Top Selected Products and Reviews.
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What is SuperDrive iMac?
Apple sells an external optical drive that reads and writes CDs and DVDs. It's called the USB SuperDrive, and it plugs into a USB-A port. The SuperDrive has some limitations: It's a little slower than using a Mac with a built-in DVD drive. You would need an adaptor to use the SuperDrive with a MacBook.Will any external DVD drive work with Mac?
If your Mac doesn't have a built-in optical drive and you need to use a CD or DVD, you can connect an external drive like the Apple USB SuperDrive. You can also share discs from the optical drive of another Mac, or from a Windows computer that has DVD or CD Sharing Setup installed.How can I play a DVD on my Mac without a DVD drive?
To do this, you'll need to buy an external disc reader that plugs into your Mac via a USB cable. Such an external drive could read CDs and DVDs, play Blu-Rays, and even burn discs — if that's what you want. You can leave a drive like this on your desk at home or take with you in your laptop bag.How do I eject a disc from my iMac?
First courses of action:- Press and hold the eject key.
- Right click on the disc icon in Finder, or on your desktop, and select the “eject” option from the menu.
- Drag the disk icon to the Trash.
How do you burn a CD on a Mac?
Burn CDs and DVDs on Mac- Insert a blank disc into your optical drive. If you see a dialog, click the pop-up menu, then choose Open Finder.
- Double-click the disc to open its window, then drag the files and folders you want to burn to the window.
- Arrange and rename the files.
- Choose File > Burn [disc], then follow the instructions.
