12" Powerbook, worth $100 upgrade to Superdrive?

get the superdrive, its so useful for backing up files, much better than using CD-R's. Plus, remember that the 60GB hard drive on the combo machine, after OSX and some apps are on it (and that the actual useable amount will be smaller than stated), will prob only leave you with 45-50Gigs for files.

student_trap said:

get the superdrive, its so useful for backing up files...

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Backups are very important. I owned a 12in Rev C PowerBook with a ComboDrive. I never would needed a SuperDrive for *anything*(couldn't justify the cost). But if I didn't have my external HD, I would have *sorely* needed the SuperDrive for backing up files. I strongly reccomend a backup solution, but I (would have) never needed the SuperDrive for anything other than that.

Hi, when I bought my iBook I went with the combo drive and not the SD for reasons if the drive goes then my iBook will still be with me and I will not have to take the whole thing in for repair. Also being a student where will you backup your files? surely not in class but at home or the dorm since the SD/Combo drive is somewhat loud. Well see my sig. for what I did, I got the LaCie for $109 and that was the total shipped, had it in 2-3 days and I've never looked back. Either way it is a great way to backup your files or whatever else you may do down the road and enjoy

Yes, it's definitely the best value of the bunch IMO. For the extra $100 you get the SD and the extra disk space. It's also a $200 discount off of list instead of just $100 on the combo model.

i had the same problem as you, but im glad i did buy my PB with the superdrive, the extra HDD. i know that you will regret if you want to burn a DVD and you can't. get it you won't regret believe me is only $100

Could I have used it? Once or twice. Do I regret not getting it? No.

$100 is $100.

I was in the same situation as you are 1 year ago: On my way to college and needing a computer to take with me. Should I go the 12" or the 15" inch; SuperDrive or Combo Drive. In the end I didn't have the money to buy the 15" PB I wanted (1.5Ghz, upgraded ram and hard drive, 128mb VRam) so I got the 12" PB instead. I still had to decided if I wanted the SuperDrive or Combo Drive. Remember a year ago the difference between the two models was $200 dollars and both had a slow 60 GB, 4200 RPM hard drive. In the end I purchased the Combo Drive model, but upgraded the hard drive to the faster 80 GB, 5400 RPM. My reasoning is the Superdrive was only 4x burning speed. For $200 I could buy a 16x external burner. I figured I wouldn't need to burn DVDs while I was away from my desk anyway.

Remember, weigh the options and see if you will always need them or can you buy an external device later on. In my case, I still haven't purchased a DVD burner, but will one day. Also, I planned on buying an external monitor for my PB, but haven't gotten around to that either (1 year later). You can see my setup in my sig.

~$100 will get you an internal plextor dual layer burner that (using patchburn) can be used with ilife apps. (and its plextor.)

IIRC, the superdrives in portables are not yet DL capable.

This all assumes you have a desktop mac at home of course, if not, put that $100 aside and save up for one!

student_trap said:

get the superdrive, its so useful for backing up files, much better than using CD-R's. Plus, remember that the 60GB hard drive on the combo machine, after OSX and some apps are on it (and that the actual useable amount will be smaller than stated), will prob only leave you with 45-50Gigs for files.

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You're kinda right, seen as the actual size is a percentage and will take off a relative amount on the 80gig. However, that doesn't matter, you'll still be left with about 76GB of space, which is great.

The Superdrive is worth it, I use it to back things up and its much better than CD. Also, think about the future and perhaps getting a DV Cam, etc... you'll want the fully OS X supported internal Superdrive then.

$100 for 20gig more, and a dvd burner... I know I would. Plus.. you are absolutely right, resale value.

It might not be worth it if you have a desktop computer as well. I find I transfer files from my laptop to my powermac to do backups. Over a 10/100 ethernet, the desktop treats the PB harddrive like an ordinary drive.

However, a Superdrive does increase your resale value, but do you plan on selling your laptop in the next year or so?

crazydreaming said:

No I don't. My Powerbook will be my only computer for hopefully 4 years of College.

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Definitely go with a Superdrive.

I recently had to make the same decision and when it came down to it, I ordered the Superdrive model (hopefully will have it soon!).

My reasoning was:

- An external burner would be a hassle to carry around
- The extra 20GB with the model is a HUGE factor when you consider the size of OSX and all the additional apps (plus I went 100GB)
- 4.7GB of back-ups is a large amount. So carry one disc around with me is hardly going to be a hassle.

My motto is always buy just more than what you need. You'll quickly find you need it!