Replace superdrive in mbp intel with superdrive from iBook G4

[klonsky]

Good day to all!

The superdrive in my mbp 2.5GHz 17" Intel Core Duo failed on me, and cannot be repaired (says my Apple tech).

A new drive would cost me over 120$ where I live. I just spent some 200$ on a new battery, and would like NOT to spend much more on a device I barely use (except for importing the occasional music album in iTunes).

I have a dead iBook G4, I am not sure wether they use the same drive specs (in terms of size and firmware), but the difference is obviously speed and lack of dual layer burning.

Has anybody recycled a superdrive from their iBooks in a macbook pro?
The Apple tech says it doesn't work because of firmware differences which will make the mbp freeze / crash / become unstable.

Any opinion? Ideally from people who tried it successfully / unsuccessfully?

Thank you!

 

[ljonesj]

i say the ibook uses a pata or the ide is another term superdrive so its not compatible try ebay if you can and see if you can find one that works but cheap

 

[macfan74318]

I found a Superdrive for a MacBook Pro for $39 on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Macbook-P...ge_Internal&hash=item2565d1f1d1#ht_500wt_1204

What is your MacBook Pro Model #?

Hope this Helps,
Macfan

 

[klonsky]

Hello, thanks for the answers so far

@ ljonesj: I think both of them are PATA. If so would it be the same connector?
My mbp is the early 2008 model, my iBook early 2004.

@ macfan: well trouble is I live in Lebanon, and nearly everything I find on ebay do not ship international. + I don't have much trust in the handling here at customs...

I still have the options to either wait for a while and buy a drive (or change my laptop!) or get an external one. But if I can successfully recycle the iBook's instead of throwing it away, that would be peachy

 

[snaky69]

Hello, thanks for the answers so far

@ ljonesj: I think both of them are PATA. If so would it be the same connector?
My mbp is the early 2008 model, my iBook early 2004.

@ macfan: well trouble is I live in Lebanon, and nearly everything I find on ebay do not ship international. + I don't have much trust in the handling here at customs...

I still have the options to either wait for a while and buy a drive (or change my laptop!) or get an external one. But if I can successfully recycle the iBook's instead of throwing it away, that would be peachy

Why don't you simply crack it open and take a look? It can't hurt anything and you'll know for sure instead of having us speculate on an internet forum.