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SuperDrive

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Not to be confused with SuperDisk, a high-density floppy disk format introduced in the late-1990s, or the MSD Super Disk for Commodore computers, or with Superfloppy, a group of high-capacity non-partitioned floppy-like media.

An external CD/DVD SuperDrive
An integrated SuperDrive shown on the right side of a MacBook Pro

SuperDrive is a trademark used by Apple Inc. for two different storage drives: from 1988 to 1999 to refer to a high-density floppy disk drive capable of reading all major 3.5″ disk formats; and from 2001 onwards to refer to a CD/DVD reader/writer.

The terms DVD Multi, Super AllWrite and Super Multi are used to describe optical disc drives from non-Apple manufacturers.

Apple SuperDrive

Floppy disk drive

Internal SuperDrive floppy drive on a Macintosh LC II

The term was first used by Apple Computer in 1988 to refer to their 1.40 MB 3.5 inch floppy drive. This replaced the older 800 KB floppy drive that had been standard in the Macintosh up to then, but remained compatible in that it could continue to read and write both 800 KB (double-sided) and 400 KB (single-sided) floppy disks, as well as the then-new high-density floppies.

This drive was also capable of reading and writing MS-DOS formatted disks and FAT12 file formats, using PC Exchange or other software, unlike the 400 KB and 800 KB drives. This was made possible as the SuperDrive now utilitized the same MFM (Modified Frequency Modulation) encoding scheme used by the IBM PC, yet still retained backward compatibility with Apple's variable-speed zoned CAV scheme and Group Coded Recording encoding format, so it could continue to read Macintosh MFS, HFS and Apple II ProDOS formats on 400/800 KB disks.

Introduced in 1988 under the Trademark name FDHD (Floppy Disk High Density), the subsequently renamed SuperDrive was known primarily as an internally mounted floppy drive that was part of the Macintosh computer; however, an external version of the drive was manufactured that came in a Snow White-styled plastic case.

While the external drive worked on both Apple's product lines, it was mainly intended for use on the Apple II series, for which Apple introduced in 1991 a slot-based interface called the Apple II 3.5 Disk Controller Card for Apple IIe and IIGS computers so they too could use 1.40 MB storage and read/write MS-DOS. The controller card as well as the external Superdrive were discontinued in June 1994.

The SuperDrive cannot be used with the original four Mac models (Macintosh 128K through Macintosh Plus), as their disk controller (IWM) doesn't support high density. The next two models to be released (Macintosh II & Macintosh SE (1987)) also shipped with that controller; a SuperDrive connected to them will behave as an 800 KB drive. These two models can be upgraded via the M0244 upgrade kit (which replaces the IWM disk controller with the SWIM) and gain full use of the SuperDrive. All later models shipped with the SWIM.

The first Macintosh model to include a SuperDrive floppy drive was the Macintosh IIx (1988). Every Macintosh and PowerBook introduced from 1988–97 (with the exception of the PowerBook 100, PowerBook Duo series, and PowerBook 2400c, which offered a proprietary external floppy drive as an option), had a built-in SuperDrive floppy drive. The last model to include one was the beige Power Macintosh G3 series, which was manufactured until January 1999.

The PowerBook G3 1998 model (a.k.a. Wallstreet) had an optional floppy drive module. The PowerBook 190 series, PowerBook 5300 Series, PowerBook 3400c, and original PowerBook G3 shared the same interchangeable floppy drive module as a standard feature. The drive as mounted on PowerBooks lacked the auto-inject feature of Apple's initial desktop SuperDrive implementation, requiring the user to manually insert the disk all the way into the drive. The feature was dropped throughout the lineup during 1993–94.

The PowerBook 1400 series also had a floppy drive module, but was incompatible with the other PowerBooks. The end of the SuperDrive coincides with the demise of Old World ROM Macs; with the advent of the New World ROM machines, Apple stopped offering internal floppy drives on all models. The SuperDrive is not supported in Mac OS X, not even on the few Old World ROM machines that can officially run OS X.

Internal CD and DVD drive

Once the use of floppy disks started declining, Apple reused the trademark to refer to the optical drives built into its Macintosh models, which could read and write both DVDs and CDs. The early 2001 release of the Power Mac G4 was the first Macintosh to include a SuperDrive.[1] SuperDrives featured 6–24x write speeds[2] and supported the DVD±R, DVD±R DL, DVD±RW, CD-R, and CD-RW formats along with all normal read-only media. DVD-RAM support, notably, is absent though it can be unofficially enabled on some drive models. Apple never offered a Blu-Ray drive or supported playback of the format.

Unlike tray-style disc holders which have an inner guide ring, slot-style drives will not work with MiniCD or MiniDVD discs (8cm diameter instead of 12cm) unless an 8 cm optical disc adapter is used[3][4] and extraction of the disc is difficult, requiring tweezers, use of a card with double-sided sticky tape, or complete disassembly of it.

The MacBook Air, released in 2008, was the first Macintosh to not include a SuperDrive after it became standard across the line. Apple began phasing SuperDrives out across the Macintosh line beginning in 2011. The second generation MacBook Pro, released in 2012 and discontinued in 2016, was the last Macintosh to include a SuperDrive.[5]

External CD and DVD drive

Apple still sells a USB-connected external SuperDrive as an accessory.[5] The drive has faced criticism and mixed customer reviews, with 410 reviews averaging two and a half stars. Criticism includes the lack of support for Blu-ray or mini optical discs and malfunctions that make the drive inoperable, with no way to eject a stuck disc.[6][7]

DVD Multi and Super Multi

DVD Multi is a specification for optical media drives. The specification was approved by the DVD Forum and was claimed to enable disc compatibility for virtually all formats officially created by the DVD Forum.[8] However, DVD+R/RW is not included because it is not "officially" from the DVD Forum. LiteOn uses the term Super AllWrite instead, which essentially has the same meaning.

Drives with DVD Multi logo can read and write DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM discs, and read DVD-Video and DVD-ROM. Some may also play DVD-Audio and/or DVD+R/RW discs. Version 1.1 is the current version (as of September 2009).

LG Super Multi recorder

Super Multi or Super AllWrite refers to a drive that reads and writes CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW and DVD-RAM. They usually do not support LightScribe, HD-BURN or GigaRec either. Overburning may or may not be possible.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Apple Ships Industry's First SuperDrive". Apple. February 19, 2001.
  2. ^ "Apple Macbook Tech Specs". Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  3. ^ Sh!t We Like – Mini Disk Adapters
  4. ^ Apple patents 8cm to 12cm disk adapters
  5. ^ a b Apple No Longer Sells a Mac With a CD Drive
  6. ^ "Customer Reviews: Apple USB SuperDrive". Apple. January 5, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  7. ^ "Customer Reviews: Apple USB SuperDrive (CA)". Apple. January 5, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "What is DVD". www.dvdforum.org. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
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