Superdrive Enclosure

[jbyun04]

I found this really nice enclosure that looks close to Apple's design so I'm about to pull the trigger on it but just wanted to see if anybody here has bought this one before?

Not a fan of most enclosures I've seen but this one seems to be just perfect.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170611284571#ht_4677wt_1049

 

[appletron]

Did you go for it? Any good?

 

[chupacabra31]

This one is the same imho and it gets to you a whole lot faster:

http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.display&product_id=186

6th image down. You will have to select it from the top drop down menu, it is the usb powered one for $24.95.

Mine came within 3 days of ordering it! Works very well. Even found a hack that allows me to play dvds through it.

 

[skip2]

Is that enclosure plastic of aluminum? How would you compare the feel and quality of the enclosure with the MacBook Air SuperDrive (if you've ever handled one)? Also, what is this hack you're talking about? Shouldn't it just work like a normal external DVD-drive without any hacking?

I'm thinking of putting my HDD in place of the SuperDrive and adding a SSD where the HDD is right now and then putting the SuperDrive into an external enclosure.

 

[sn424]

Is that enclosure plastic of aluminum?

The spec says "CNC Machined Aluminum kit", the piece that may be missing is the non-slip ring on the underside.

 

[skip2]

The spec says "CNC Machined Aluminum kit", the piece that may be missing is the non-slip ring on the underside.

Wow. I wonder if the enclosures from eBay are the same. I was almost certain they'd all be plastic, which is made to look like aluminum in pictures.

 

[appletron]

Wow. I wonder if the enclosures from eBay are the same. I was almost certain they'd all be plastic, which is made to look like aluminum in pictures.

I went for a caddy from ebay (seller: Nimitz http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/nimitz**/ ) and an enclosure from eBay too (seller: notebookeleite http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/notebookelite/ ). They arrived from far east to UK in a little over a week.

The caddy is excellent quality but it's fiddly to fit. You should allow a couple of hours, lots of patience and make sure you have the correct tools. This guide should help http://osxdaily.com/2010/05/19/install-an-ssd-into-the-optical-drive-slot-on-a-macbook-pro/

The caddy is plastic, but it's of very good quality and looks like aluminium until you inspect it closely - a convincing "fake". I am happy with it.

 

[bossmanjunior]

Have you ordered or received upgrade from maxupgrades? Im curious about quality

 

[Tickldpnk8]

Superdrive Enclosure: Thoughts?

So over the weekend, my 2008 MacBook Pro died. I've already installed the harddrive into a usb caddy, but what are everyone's thoughts on removing the SuperDrive and installing it in an external enclosure? All of the enclosures I've been able to find online are for the newer slimmer models. Anyone have a good source? Perhaps I'm searching it under the wrong term? Some of the older links in this thread weren't linking correctly.

Also, could a novice do this, or should I take it to an expert?

Thoughts?

 

[appletron]

I wasn't aware of different heights for SuperDrives, but the one I used had pegs for different height drives. I suspect all the ones on eBay that look like an Apple external SuperDrive will have been made by the same manufacturer.

As for a novice - yes, with a bit of patience. If you get stuck, let us know here.

Bare in mind, since I put my drive in an enclosure, I think I've used it about three times.

 

[designs216]

This one is the same imho and it gets to you a whole lot faster:

http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=Product.display&product_id=186

6th image down. You will have to select it from the top drop down menu, it is the usb powered one for $24.95.

Mine came within 3 days of ordering it! Works very well. Even found a hack that allows me to play dvds through it.

The page talks about the enclosure/bracket package and seems like a decent deal. Too bad the drive only connects at USB2 speeds. Is a hack necessary if you move the superdrive to an external enclosure? If so, it might be better to spend the money on an external DVD/Blueray combo drive.

 

[Giuly]

So over the weekend, my 2008 MacBook Pro died. I've already installed the harddrive into a usb caddy, but what are everyone's thoughts on removing the SuperDrive and installing it in an external enclosure? All of the enclosures I've been able to find online are for the newer slimmer models. Anyone have a good source? Perhaps I'm searching it under the wrong term? Some of the older links in this thread weren't linking correctly.

Also, could a novice do this, or should I take it to an expert?

Thoughts?

I don't think that anyone makes a slimline, slotloading IDE enclosure.

But why the all the hassle if you can pick up a complete USB slimline DVD writer for $18?

 

[Philoman]

I don't think that anyone makes a slimline, slotloading IDE enclosure.

But why the all the hassle if you can pick up a complete USB slimline DVD writer for $18?

True but I would hate to waste what just came out of the Macbook pro.

 

[Giuly]

True but I would hate to waste what just came out of the Macbook pro.

It is 5 years old, and buying a $24 enclosure for a ATAPI SuperDrive instead of a completely new and faster USB DVD writer for $18 is a waste of money.

 

[Philoman]

It is 5 years old, and buying a $24 enclosure for a ATAPI SuperDrive instead of a completely new and faster USB DVD writer for $18 is a waste of money.

I hear where you're coming from.

Mine is a SATA interface Super 898A Panasonic, made in 2010.

Even if I got the USB DVD writer, I would always look at this thing without a case wishing to put it to use...LOL

 

[Giuly]

I hear where you're coming from.

Mine is a SATA interface Super 898A Panasonic, made in 2010.

Even if I got the USB DVD writer, I would always look at this thing without a case wishing to put it to use...LOL

The OP said something about a 2008 MacBook Pro, hence the suggestion.
But if you have a SATA model, there's this enclosure for $13.