REVIEW: $10 Optibay Caddy

[Orlandoech]

When I had my 2011 15" MBP I bought the overpriced OWC Data Doubler Optibay Caddy for $70. When my brother got his 2012 13" MBP I decided to search for a cheaper, yet acceptable alternative.

I landed on this $10 caddy from Amazon with mostly good reviews, some mixed reviews and some negative reviews stating it didn't fit or it didn't have screw holes to secure the HDD or included screws.

For $10 and Amazon's amazing return policy, I took the chance and bought it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058AH2US/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

The caddy came with includes screws and it DID have screw holes to secure the HDD to the caddy itself. Its fitment was flawless and it bolted right in with no issues what so ever. Performance was as expected from a slow 5400RPM 500GB HDD. Overall, very satisfied with the product, especially for $10. I do NOT see how anyone who can justify spending $70 on a OWC Caddy because they slap a "mac compatible" or "just works" label on their product.

This $10 caddy is every bit as functional and it also "just works".

 

[defektion]

That looks like a solid deal to me boss.

 

[afinch1992]

looks like a great deal. i wonder if it having more covering would increase temps in comparison. last time i looked the OWC was just a cage

 

[Dark Void]

Looks good.

How does it perform? (well the HDD performs, but you know what I mean)

 

[Orlandoech]

looks like a great deal. i wonder if it having more covering would increase temps in comparison. last time i looked the OWC was just a cage

Considering the SuperDrive is the same shape/dimensions the temps havent increased by any means.

----------

Looks good.

How does it perform? (well the HDD performs, but you know what I mean)

Performs awesome, as great as a slow 5400rpm drive does lol.

 

[afinch1992]

didnt think so, but it was just something i noticed. it probably works better since is allows the air to flow the way it was designed to

 

[Dark Void]

Performs awesome, as great as a slow 5400rpm drive does lol.

Yeah - 5400 isn't too bad though. It's acceptable.

 

[maxwelltech]

Thanks a lot Orlandoech! I have ordered a Sandisk Extreme SSD (on sale) along with this adapter, and I am going to install it on my 2012 13 MBP. This post is going to be super helpful to me. Thanks!

 

[dreamsINdigital]

Does swapping out the optical drive for a hard drive add or remove weight?

 

[Leek]

Would you say this caddy is much heavier than OWC's, which was just a frame if I recall correctly? Not that a few ounces would be worth $60 but I'm just curious.

 

[entrywounds]

I have this exact caddy and have been using it for a couple months now and have had zero issues. The Hard Drive is a Sata III interface drive and it hasnt had 1 hiccup. Great bargain buy!

 

[quasinormal]

I bought a couple of these from a HK ebay seller for $15 each delivered. No problems whatsoever with a 1TB HD.

Now if only i could find a 5.25" enclosure for the optical drive.

 

[yusukeaoki]

And I paid 100 dollars for a damn caddy and superdrive case (free) from MCE

 

[Cache]

Could someone recommend a site in europe which sells these or similar ones that will fit perfectly? The one mentioned in the OP isnt available on amazon.co.uk for instance.

 

[yusukeaoki]

Could someone recommend a site in europe which sells these or similar ones that will fit perfectly? The one mentioned in the OP isnt available on amazon.co.uk for instance.

Its way more pricey but I use the MCE optibay.
Bought it because of the brand name.

On the way bottom of the list, you can see where to buy in UK.
http://www.mcetech.com/wheretobuy.html

 

[Cache]

Its way more pricey but I use the MCE optibay.
Bought it because of the brand name.

On the way bottom of the list, you can see where to buy in UK.
http://www.mcetech.com/wheretobuy.html

Thanks for the link, but it is indeed a bit more pricey. Since it's basically a simple frame, I'm sure there are other cheaper alternatives here in Europe. I refuse to pay more for such a simple construction, so I'll just have to find out which of the cheaper ones fits perfectly.

 

[LeeM]

just search macbook optibay on ebay, buy the cheapest. i got one for a fiver that looks exactly the same as the one in the op.

 

[NMF]

just search macbook optibay on ebay, buy the cheapest. i got one for a fiver that looks exactly the same as the one in the op.

Ditto. Works great.

 

[yusukeaoki]

Thanks for the link, but it is indeed a bit more pricey. Since it's basically a simple frame, I'm sure there are other cheaper alternatives here in Europe. I refuse to pay more for such a simple construction, so I'll just have to find out which of the cheaper ones fits perfectly.

Except you get a free Super Drive enclosure and screw drivers with MCE.

 

[Orlandoech]

$13 SuperDrive Enclosure - http://www.amazon.com/Micro-SATA-Cables-External-Burner/dp/B005RFOJT6/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_5

 

[Cache]

I went ahead and bought this one from ebay:

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/320902699655?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_2736wt_1378

Fits perfectly. Have a very old 100gb 7200rpm hdd in there atm to test the caddy out, but it works nicely. Will substitute the drive for an ssd soon though.

 

[Orlandoech]

UPDATE: This kit is still fully functional and works flawlessly.

 

[CASLondon]

Could someone recommend a site in europe which sells these or similar ones that will fit perfectly? The one mentioned in the OP isnt available on amazon.co.uk for instance.

This is a good resource

http://hardwrk.com/en/home/

Also,

http://thebookyard.com

has the caddys, and any other parts you need. Good people

 

[cocacolakid]

The optibay weighs 2.5 ounces, without a hard drive.

 

[Orlandoech]

Closing in on 90 days with no issues at all. This caddy is well worth $10 or so, especially considering the OWC and MaxUpgrades versions are well over $50 and the OWC and MaxUpgrades versions are much heavier.