MBA External superdrive question...

Agent Smith · Mar 12, 2008

Hi everyone,

I've looked around for an answer, but finding none I thought I'd ask the experts. I have a friend whose superdrive in their MacBook (first edition) went on the fritz. Rather than buying a new drive for approx. $150, I was wondering if the drive inside the external MacBook Air superdrive would do as a replacement? I figure cracking open the external superdrive is worth saving $50, but only if I can use that drive inside the MacBook. Thanks in advance for your help!

w00tini · Mar 12, 2008

i was told by the Genius bar guys that the MBA drive only works with the MBA.

Mactagonist · Mar 12, 2008

w00tini said:
i was told by the Genius bar guys that the MBA drive only works with the MBA.

That is true, but only because its USB port draws a non standard ammount of power. The OP is asking about taking it apart and putting the drive into a laptop as a replacement for a broken drive. I dont know if that would work, I wouldnt bet on it though.

qpid · Mar 13, 2008

It has nothing to do with drawing a non-standard amount of power, but the fact that the firmware in the superdrive only works with the mba.

Mactagonist · Mar 13, 2008

qpid said:
It has nothing to do with drawing a non-standard amount of power, but the fact that the firmware in the superdrive only works with the mba.

The External Superdrive draws a much higher voltage then a normal USB port can provide. No matter what firmware is on it, it isnt going to work on a standard USB port.

iToaster · Mar 13, 2008

The MacBook uses a slimmer drive than the drive in the MBA's superdrive (like the 17" MBP), so regardless of whether of not in works in it, it wont fit.

Agent Smith · Mar 13, 2008

Thanks for your input everyone! I figured that it was too hairbrained an idea to work, but I thought I'd ask just in case.

UltraNEO* · Mar 13, 2008

Agent Smith said:
Thanks for your input everyone! I figured that it was too hairbrained an idea to work, but I thought I'd ask just in case.

I know it's a long shot.... but have you tried eBay?
And... does it need to be Apple branded? A non-Apple drive would work fine but certain iApps won't... therefore if your using Toast or some other 3rd psrty burner it'll still work.

For a MB & MBP you need a drive with a 9mm thickness, the standard 12mm units won't fit right... the top case won't close.

qpid · Mar 15, 2008

BryanHarig said:
The External Superdrive draws a much higher voltage then a normal USB port can provide. No matter what firmware is on it, it isnt going to work on a standard USB port.

It does not draw a higher voltage, gizmodo and engadget both disproved that with their reviews, and i think ars did also. the specs on the mba show the standard 5v draw for usb

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