How do I connect my Apple SuperDrive to a new iMac?

CB2016 wrote:

Make and models of printers having Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports

I've never heard of a printer that had a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port. If there is such a beast, a printer that requires the sort of data rates that Thunderbolt 3 and 4 can deliver, it would have to be some ultra-high-end niche device that only large commercial publishers could afford, or would have occasion to use.

If your concern is with whether you can attach a printer to a Mac that has a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port – all of those port are USB-C ports that also support USB 3.0 or better. You can easily go from USB-C (USB) to just about any other form of USB – USB-A, USB-B, or USB 3.0 B – that a printer might need.

Also how can I connect older USB Apple Super Drive DVD to new iMac?

Apple USB-C to USB Adapter.

The Apple USB SuperDrive has a reputation for being "finicky" about power. Printers are happy just to have a USB connection to your Mac – they don't mind if you decide to hang them off of a dock or a hub. With the SuperDrive, you might find that it doesn't play too well with hubs and docks, and that your best chances of success are if you plug it "directly" into the iMac using the Apple-brand adapter.

CB2016 wrote:

/../ my Epson WF-3540 printer is no longer supported by Air Print. /../

Yes, it is true hat the WF-3540 is not listed in the October 28, 2024 en-us version of About AirPrint - Apple Support. It was however listed as late as in the July 01, 2022 edition. The exact reason for the change is not known to me. It could simply be because the printer since has been discontinued (and therefore is not considered representative by the manufacturer), or that the printer's firmware in fact is not compatible with the latest macOS versions.

Anyway, if the printer otherwise is OK, it would probably not be a bad idea to at least try it with the new Mac and AirPrint. For such a test, you may want to connect the printer by Ethernet to one of the LAN ports of a Wi-Fi router. AirPrint works with wireless (Wi-Fi) or wired (Ethernet) network connections.

If AirPrint (that is, the Apple technology that does not require additional drivers/software) does not work, you could look for macOS Sequoia drivers via Epson's support pages. Make sure that you download from an official Epson site only. Be careful, there are several dubious third-party "support" sites on the Internet, often with misleading names.

It’ll try CB 2016… Macsales ( OWC) sells one, CalDigit… what’s your rough budget on that … holy cow ! OWC( macsales) has one with 14 ports on it plus SD card slot.. $180 🤯( plus shipping n’ taxes) CalDigit TS3…$210 plus the usual…

john B

CB2016 wrote:

Make and models of printers having Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports

I have just ordered an iMac M4 and wondering which manufacturers/models have printers having Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports?

There are none. Most all new Printers support AirPrint.

About AirPrint - Apple Support

Also how can I connect older USB Apple Super Drive DVD to new iMac?

You need a USB-C to USB-A adapter to connect the Super Drive to a new iMac.

https://www.target.com/p/philips-usb-c-to-3-0-usb-a-female-adapter/-/A-79804275

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z768LCW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?

USB-C to USB Adapter - Apple

Whatever it is, pick a printer with AirPrint support.

AirPrint support avoids needing vendor drivers for most printing and even scanning functions.

For printer considerations and trade-offs: Which Printer Should I Buy? - Apple Community

More generally, a network or Wi-Fi printer allows everything to share the printer, where using a USB printer requires more work to share.

But again, whatever printer you pick, pick a printer with AirPrint support.

For the SuperDrive, use the Apple USB-C to USB-A adapter. Other USB-C to USB-A adapters and probably even some docks and unpowered USB hubs can lack the necessary power needed by SuperDrive.

Hi,

As far as I know, such printers, I mean printer has USB-C port doesn't exist. You can connect printer to your iMac via WiFi.

As for external Super Drive, you can connect it through USB-C to USB-A adapter.

The USB-C ports on the M4 iMac support

• USB devices
• Thunderbolt devices
• DisplayPort capable external monitors

So any USB based printer can be directly connected to the Mac. At worst, you will need a USB-A to USB-C adapter for the existing cable. If you are using a USB-C dock or a Thunderbolt dock, you can direct attach a printer to a USB-A port on the dock.

Your DVD drive - This also means you should be able to attach your USB based Apple Super Drive DVD. All you need is a USB-A to USB-C adapter, or a dock that has USB-A ports. What I DO NOT know, is whether the M4 iMac will know what to do with the DVD drive.

Pointer to USB-A to USB-C adapters (click here)

Network Printer - Many of the other posts mention WiFi or Ethernet network connected printers. They are an option, but are not essential. One advantage of a network connected printer is that it can be used with all the personal computers in your home. And the printer does not need to be located next to your Mac. For example, my network attached printer is in the closet next to the front door. It is out of the way, and the laser printer toner smell is kept out of the rest of the house. I use a Brother Laser printer with AirPrint support.

AirPrint - Other posts have emphasized using a printer with AirPrint support. AirPrint is the best way to future proof your printer, even if the printer vendor stops supporting the printer, the AirPrint protocol will allow the printer to continue being used with the Mac. In addition, iPhones and iPads can wirelessly print to AirPrint capable network attached printers.

I would also like to point out that before my current printer I was using one of the first generation AirPrint cable printers, and it works flawlessly for 12 years, long after the printer manufacture stop supporting the printer. If your printer has AirPrint support is should continue to work with your future Macs as long as the printer continues to function, and you can get supplies for the printer.

All Thunderbolt ports are backwards compatible with USB 2-3-4. There are no printers that Thunderbolt have ports because printers don’t need that kind of bandwidth at all. USB 2 is all they need.

Sorry, CB2016, I don’t know “nuffin” about no Thunderbolt printers( there aren’t any) … there are USB A, B, C and networkable printers.. 2 -Answer good quality USB-A to USB-C adapter … the drive won’t show up until you put a disk ( cd/dvd ) into it, then the dis(c/k) will show up.., should be powered directly from either iMac or powered dock or hub..

that is all

John B

CB2016 wrote:

Can you recommend a good dock/hub ideally with SD slot. Likely it needs to be self powered?

If you're looking for "plain" USB-C hubs, most of those are pretty cheap and generic (dime a dozen). They give you a few USB-A (USB) ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, a HDMI port, a SDXC card slot, and sometimes a USB-C (USB) port or two. This might be enough for what you are trying to do.

Thunderbolt docks are higher-end – but also a lot more expensive. If you want one of those, I would suggest that you look at the offerings from Other World Computing (MacSales), SonnetTech, and CalDigit. All of those vendors have been in the business of offering Thunderbolt products to Mac users for a long time.

CB2016 wrote:

Thanks, I see now that my Epson WF-3540 printer is no longer supported by Air Print. Time for replacement.

My WF-2860 works with AirPrint just fine. What makes you think your model doesn’t? It most certainly does.

From the WF-3540 user Guide

Please see page 27 of your WF-3540 User Guide.

https://files.support.epson.com/pdf/wf3540/wf3540ug.pdf

Why not simply use AirPrint or Wi-Fi, MUCH easier than looking for a USB C printer. There are no Thunderbolt printers out there that I know of.

Adding a printer