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Combodrive or Superdrive?
- Thread starter mlw1235
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Read it just fine thanks. I think you misread though.
As you say the CD is today, nearly as useless as a floppy for backup, I say your single layer DVDR is as useless as a CD a year from now. My dual layer 16x will outlast the usefulness of your 4x (but writes at about 2x) single "Superdrive" by a mile. For that, there can be no debate.
Again, it's up to the user and their needs.
As you say the CD is today, nearly as useless as a floppy for backup, I say your single layer DVDR is as useless as a CD a year from now. My dual layer 16x will outlast the usefulness of your 4x (but writes at about 2x) single "Superdrive" by a mile. For that, there can be no debate.
Again, it's up to the user and their needs.
Go Combo
Combo Drive, no question at all.
I'll have to disagree with a lot of the posters in this thread.
I have two SuperDrives, I got my first one on my iMac (my only computer at the time), and my second just recently for my PowerMac.
I originally thought that I'd use the drive to burn movies or do backup. But that didn't happen because of a couple of things. The single layer drive doesn't allow you to backup a DVD movie (one that you already own of course) without a lot of work, double layer would. 4.7 GB DVDs for backup aren't very helpful, it's too small, and really only the latest one or two backups are worth anything. After a couple of months you'll have a stack of expensive DVD-Rs that are now useless.
Save the ~$200 and get the combo drive.
If you find a need for DVD burning, you can always use part of the $200 you saved to buy an external Dual Layer burner.
If backups are a concern, get an external HD, it'll give you more capacity for large (5+ GB) backups, and you won't be littered with piles of media. For VERY important backups, get a 1-2GB flash drive and keep it in your freezer (in case of fire).
Combo Drive, no question at all.
I'll have to disagree with a lot of the posters in this thread.
I have two SuperDrives, I got my first one on my iMac (my only computer at the time), and my second just recently for my PowerMac.
I originally thought that I'd use the drive to burn movies or do backup. But that didn't happen because of a couple of things. The single layer drive doesn't allow you to backup a DVD movie (one that you already own of course) without a lot of work, double layer would. 4.7 GB DVDs for backup aren't very helpful, it's too small, and really only the latest one or two backups are worth anything. After a couple of months you'll have a stack of expensive DVD-Rs that are now useless.
Save the ~$200 and get the combo drive.
If you find a need for DVD burning, you can always use part of the $200 you saved to buy an external Dual Layer burner.
If backups are a concern, get an external HD, it'll give you more capacity for large (5+ GB) backups, and you won't be littered with piles of media. For VERY important backups, get a 1-2GB flash drive and keep it in your freezer (in case of fire).
Never looked back
I took the superdrive option out of my purchase- I just don't need it. It seemed like one of those 'must have' things that you never use.
I am glad I saved the extra money and spent it on more ram.
I took the superdrive option out of my purchase- I just don't need it. It seemed like one of those 'must have' things that you never use.
I am glad I saved the extra money and spent it on more ram.
If you're not swayed by the extra processing mhz, save the US$200, and spend it on an external burner and/or an external hard drive. Unless you're going to be DVD burning on the road, this to me is a no-brainer.
Having said that, tt should be noted that the resale value of the Combo drive model will surely depreciate more than that of the Superdrive model. It can't be long before the entire Mac line is Superdrive.
Having said that, tt should be noted that the resale value of the Combo drive model will surely depreciate more than that of the Superdrive model. It can't be long before the entire Mac line is Superdrive.
Variation on the Same question
I too am wondering whether the SuperDrive is worth the price premium on the MacBook.
In my case I have the first gen G5 iMac with SuperDrive. I presume it will continue to be my main computer. I use the SuperDrive mainly for backup, but also for photos. I have a .Mac account which I can use for syncing a laptop.
Is there any reason I would need a SuperDrive on the MacBook?
Thanks.
I too am wondering whether the SuperDrive is worth the price premium on the MacBook.
In my case I have the first gen G5 iMac with SuperDrive. I presume it will continue to be my main computer. I use the SuperDrive mainly for backup, but also for photos. I have a .Mac account which I can use for syncing a laptop.
Is there any reason I would need a SuperDrive on the MacBook?
Thanks.
Edwin the Elder said:
I'de go with the regular combodrive and an external DVD Writer. The current macbook superdrives are very finicky and my macbook friends have MUCH better luck with reading and writing on their externals. I'm currently on my second faulty superdrive. sheesh!
super drive. YOu ll also be getting 2 ghz instead of 1.83 definatly worth the extra money.
-fivetoadsloth
-fivetoadsloth