Is it possible to remove the combo drive in my 12" powerbook and buy a aftermarket superdrive to replace it? maybe one with better specs than apple offers? Or would it be much cheaper to buy an external dvd burner?
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12" Combo ---> Superdrive?
- Thread starter sammyman
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weg
macrumors 6502a
sammyman said:
I'd be very interested in this, too... I'm about to buy a new Powerbook (my last one - 12" 1.33GHz - was stolen), but I'm hesitating to buy one with Superdrive, since 200 bucks for a Matsushita non-DL DVD+/- Burner seems way too much. For this money, I could get an excellent external DVD Burner (dual layer), and as far as I've heard there are ways to make iLife working with non-superdrive DVD burners...
Brandhaus
macrumors 6502
Yes you can buy and aftermarket one. I looked into it. Didn't seem worth the price. THey are expensive, and the install is something I didn't want to do myself in case I broke something. I ended up getting the firewire powered Lacie slim drive, and it works great for me. Much cheaper, and I didn't have to worry about taking the PB apart.
mad jew
Moderator emeritus
It's pretty tricky. Have a look for some other members' opinions. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it as a DYI project.
emw
macrumors G4
I went to OtherWorldComputing and bought one for my 15" Ti PowerBook and installed it. It wasn't difficult, but if you're not comfortable messing around with the internals of your computer, I wouldn't advise it.
The directions they send are fantastic and really walk you through the process. Here is a link to a drive that works in the 12" Powerbook.
The directions they send are fantastic and really walk you through the process. Here is a link to a drive that works in the 12" Powerbook.
I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but I do mind putting in a drive that SUCKS and is LOUD! That is the only thing I am worried about. I have a dell too and the cd drive is LOUD all of the time. It really bugs. Anyway, I found this http://www.provantage.com/buy-7pinr00c-internal-8x-dvd-rw-pioneer-optical-dvr-k14l-shopping.htm on deal mac. Can't tell if it would work, but that is a lot cheaper. Maybe ebay has some genuine parts . . . http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MPBG4SD8XDL/ looks the most reliable. Would iLife work with dual layer drivers and recognize these drives?
I also found this http://www.slidirect.com/web/do/pub/sku/view?categoryId=24&id=92
I have a feeling this one will work, but still researching.
I have a feeling this one will work, but still researching.
tsk
macrumors 6502a
I don't have the model handy but I know I looked into this for a mini. As I recall you can get a Superdrive for something like $130 (if someone can give you a model, just go hit froogle -- part of google) and you can find the best price. Installation should not be that bad, but if you're completely mechanically incompetent, don't do it. It's much more involved than popping the cover off for memory.
could anybody tell me about the "face plate". if you buy a dvd burner, can you just switch the silver (i'm on a ibook g3) face plate of the old drive with the new one? or will it fit to just some models?