Editing Apple SuperDrive

{{Infobox computer peripheral
| image = [[File:Apple SuperDrive.jpg]]
| caption = Apple FDHD Drive / SuperDrive (Model G7287)
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc. (Sony mechanism)
| type = Floppy disk drive
| released = 1989
| discontinued = 1998
| price = US$399
| interface = DE-19 floppy port
| compatible = Macintosh (SWIM-equipped), Apple IIGS (with controller card)
| dimensions = ~200 mm × 180 mm × 40 mm
| weight = ~800 g
| predecessor = [[Apple 3.5 Drive]]
| successor = None (floppy eliminated with iMac)
| model = G7287
}}

The '''Apple SuperDrive''' (originally '''Apple FDHD Drive''', model G7287) was Apple's first high-density 1.44 MB 3½-inch floppy disk drive, introduced in 1989. The drive supported all Apple 3.5-inch formats (400K, 800K, 1.44 MB) plus IBM PC formats (720K, 1.44 MB), enabling cross-platform file exchange. The SuperDrive became standard equipment in every desktop Macintosh until the iMac eliminated the floppy drive in 1998.

== Background ==

Following IBM's introduction of 1.44 MB high-density floppy drives in the PS/2 systems (1987), Apple adopted the format for cross-compatibility with MS-DOS and Windows systems. The SuperDrive used the industry-standard MFM (Modified Frequency Modulation) scheme for PC compatibility while maintaining backward compatibility with Apple's proprietary GCR (Group Coded Recording) variable-speed formats.

== Naming ==

* '''Apple FDHD Drive''' — Original name (Floppy Disk High Density)
* '''Apple SuperDrive''' — Later marketing name (G7287)

Note: Apple later reused "SuperDrive" for optical drives, creating some confusion. This article covers the 1989 floppy drive.

== Design ==

=== Physical Construction ===
The external SuperDrive uses the Platinum gray case design:
* Matches Apple 3.5 Drive enclosure
* Manual eject button (for Apple II compatibility)
* Daisy-chain connector
* DE-19 floppy port connection

=== Drive Mechanism ===
The internal Sony mechanism supports:
* Double-sided, high-density media
* Variable speed for Apple GCR formats
* Fixed speed for PC MFM formats
* Auto-inject (desktop) or manual-inject (PowerPC) variants

== Format Support ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Format !! Capacity !! Encoding !! Platform
|-
| Apple 400K || 400 KB || GCR variable || Mac MFS
|-
| Apple 800K || 800 KB || GCR variable || Mac HFS
|-
| Apple 1.44 MB || 1.44 MB || GCR/MFM || Mac HFS
|-
| PC 720K || 720 KB || MFM fixed || MS-DOS
|-
| PC 1.44 MB || 1.44 MB || MFM fixed || MS-DOS/Windows
|}

PC format reading requires appropriate system software (Apple File Exchange or later system versions with DOS mounting).

== Compatibility ==

=== Requirements ===
Full SuperDrive functionality requires the '''SWIM''' (Sander–Wozniak Integrated Machine) floppy disk controller:
* Present in Mac SE FDHD and later Macintoshes
* Available via Apple II 3.5 Disk Controller Card
* Not present in original IIGS, IIc Plus, or older Macs

=== Fallback Mode ===
When connected to systems with the older IWM (Integrated Woz Machine) controller:
* Functions as standard 800K drive
* No high-density or PC format support
* No 1.44 MB capacity

=== Compatible Systems ===
'''Full Support (SWIM):'''
* Macintosh SE FDHD and later (through Classic II)
* Apple IIe (with 3.5 Disk Controller Card)
* Apple IIGS (with 3.5 Disk Controller Card)

'''800K Mode Only (IWM):'''
* Original Apple IIGS
* Apple IIc Plus
* Macintosh Plus, SE

'''Not Compatible:'''
* Apple IIe without controller card
* Macintosh 128K, 512K (no HFS support)

== Specifications ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Parameter !! Value
|-
| Model number || G7287
|-
| Capacity || 400K, 800K, 1.44 MB (Apple); 720K, 1.44 MB (PC)
|-
| Media || 3.5-inch floppy, DD or HD
|-
| Interface || DE-19 floppy port
|-
| Transfer rate || Variable (depends on format and zone)
|-
| Mechanism || Sony auto-inject or manual-inject
|-
| Case color || Platinum gray
|}

== Production History ==

* '''1989''' — Introduced as Apple FDHD Drive
* '''1989''' — Renamed SuperDrive
* '''1989''' — Internal version standard in SE FDHD, Mac IIx, IIcx, IIci
* '''1991''' — Apple II 3.5 Disk Controller Card enables Apple II support
* '''1994''' — PowerPC Macs switch to manual-inject mechanism
* '''1998''' — iMac G3 eliminates floppy drive entirely

The external SuperDrive was discontinued after the Classic II; subsequent Macs included internal drives or used the HDI-20 PowerBook external drive.

== Maintenance ==

=== Head Cleaning ===
* Use 3.5-inch head cleaning disk
* Follow cleaning disk instructions
* Do not over-clean (excessive cleaning wears heads)

=== Eject Mechanism ===
Auto-inject drives are prone to eject motor failure:
* Symptoms: Disk won't eject, grinding noise
* Solution: Manual eject via paperclip hole (emergency) or motor replacement

=== Common Issues ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Problem !! Cause !! Solution
|-
| Won't read any disks || Dirty heads || Clean heads
|-
| Won't read HD disks || Connected to IWM system || Requires SWIM controller
|-
| Won't eject || Eject motor failure || Manual eject or repair
|-
| Reads Apple but not PC || Software issue || Install Apple File Exchange
|-
| Intermittent errors || Worn drive || Replace mechanism
|}

== Collecting ==

=== Identification ===
* Model G7287 on label
* Platinum gray case
* DE-19 connector (19-pin)
* Supports HD media (check disk hole sensor)

=== Condition Assessment ===
* '''Mint:''' Original box, fully functional all formats
* '''Excellent:''' Reads/writes all formats reliably
* '''Good:''' Reads/writes most formats
* '''Fair:''' Some formats unreliable
* '''Poor:''' Non-functional

=== Testing ===
Test with multiple disk types:
* 400K single-sided (if Mac supports MFS)
* 800K double-density
* 1.44 MB high-density
* PC formatted 1.44 MB (with appropriate software)

== Legacy ==

The SuperDrive represented Apple's embrace of industry-standard formats after years of proprietary designs. Its ability to read PC disks made the Macintosh more viable in mixed-platform environments.

The elimination of the floppy drive with the 1998 iMac was controversial at the time but prescient—CD-ROM and eventually USB drives supplanted floppy disks entirely.

== See Also ==
* [[Apple 3.5 Drive]]
* [[Apple Floppy Disk Drive]]
* [[Disk II]]
* [[Apple UniDisk 3.5]]

== References ==
* Wikipedia — Macintosh External Disk Drive
* Big Mess o' Wires — M0131 floppy drive documentation
* EveryMac specifications

[[Category:Apple Vintage Accessories]]

{{Navbox-AppleVintageAccessories}}