Swap G4 optical drive with 1st gen MB/MBP ODD?

[Lilendianppcnes]

Is it possible to replace a G4 optical drive with a better one from a 1st gen MacBook or 1st gen MacBook Pro?

 

[Gut Emblem]

Pata/sata converter + bracket

 

[Intell]

Yes, it should be a direct swap. The first few generatations (until about 2009), used a PATA optical drive bus like the G4 laptops. Something to take note of, the optical drive in the Macbook/Pro may be slimmer than that in the G4. While it may fit, it may not line up correctly.

 

[theMarble]

Something to take note of, the optical drive in the Macbook/Pro may be slimmer than that in the G4. While it may fit, it may not line up correctly.

If I recall correctly, you need to swap some of the tiny mounting brackets over, but the screw holes on the drives are in the same place between them, so it can be done.

The only two sizes of slot-loader used were 9.5mm (all 13" and 15" Intel laptops, and most likely all 12" and 15" Aluminium PowerBooks) and 12.7mm (all 17" PowerBooks, MBPs, pre-2010 Mac minis and to my knowledge all Intel iMacs). Can't remember off the top of my head if the TiBook uses a 9.5 or 12.7mm drive.

I've personally swapped a 12.7mm PATA slot loader between a 2006 17" MBP and a 2007 Mac mini, and a couple 9.5's between various 13" MacBook's. All went fine, just make sure to keep the mounting brackets with the same machine.

 

[Lilendianppcnes]

Thanks everyone for your input. Trying to figure out which drive to use now. I assume the PowerBook should accept the swapped drive without any issues or new drivers needed/plug and play?

 

[Intell]

Correct, it will work when connected and nothing needs done.