Apple quietly discontinues a much-used Mac accessory – the end of an era

(Image credit: Apple)

published 6 August 2024

Quick Summary

The Apple USB SuperDrive that launched back in 2008 is listed as "Sold Out" on Apple US, suggesting it is being quietly discontinued.

For those that do want to use an external CD/DVD player on their Mac however, there are third-party options still available. And the official USB SuperDrive continues to be sold in the UK.

It's the end of an era for the Apple USB SuperDrive. In case you haven't heard of it, it's the CD and DVD player/burner that launched way back in 2008 when Steve Jobs first introduced the MacBook Air from the famous Manilla envelope. The original MacBook Air was the first Mac to be introduced with no CD drive and so the SuperDrive accessory was designed for those that still wanted to play CDs and DVDs through their Mac.

Apple describes the USB SuperDrive on its website as: "Whether you’re at the office or on the road, you can play and burn both CDs and DVDs with the Apple USB SuperDrive. It’s perfect when you want to watch a DVD movie, install software, create backup discs, and more."

Connecting to a Mac via USB (most definitely not USB-C), the Apple USB SuperDrive has continued to be sold for 15 years, and a decade after Apple phased out CD drives in its Macs.

I actually have one that I dug out especially for you for a quick picture. I used to use it for playing Grey's Anatomy DVDs on my old MacBook Air back in the day so I got my money's worth back then. That said, I haven't used it for over 10 years and I wouldn't buy another if I lost it.

It's likely I am not the only person in that boat either, so the fact that the Apple USB SuperDrive was recently spotted as "Sold Out" on Apple US by a 9to5Mac reader, is not all that surprising.

It's probably very unlikely it will be coming back into stock neither, though it is worth mentioning that for those in the UK, the Apple USB SuperDrive is still available to buy through Apple, as well on Amazon too.

There are also third-party alternatives available, so if you really feel like you need a CD and DVD drive for your Mac, then you'll be alright, all is not lost.

The third-party options connect via USB-C too and they are compatible with Blu-ray discs, which the Apple USB SuperDrive is not. If you still want the official Apple USB SuperDrive however, it will cost you £79 / $79 / A$119 if you can find it.

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Britta is a freelance technology journalist who has been writing about tech for over a decade. She's covered all consumer tech from phones, tablets and wearables to smart home and beauty tech, with everything in between. She has a fashion journalism degree from London College of Fashion and previously did a long stint as deputy editor of Pocket-lint, but you’ll now find her byline on several titles including GQ, the Express, the Mirror, TechRadar, Stuff and iMore. You'll never find her without her Apple Watch on, aiming to complete her rings so she can justify the extra bar of chocolate and she loves a good iPhone trick.