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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > Quality/yet inexpensive internal DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive?

Quality/yet inexpensive internal DVD±RW/CD-RW Drive?
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Feb 17, 2010, 05:35 PM
 
Hi!

I'm in dire need of a replacement for my Superdrive. I have the problem many others are having with it not recognizing disks and ejecting perfectly good disks. I tried all the suggested fixes and have wasted many hours on this lemon of a drive. I'd prefer to replace it with something other than the MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-857E that came with the computer.

I've done searches on this forum for what the best replacement would be, only to be confused more.

My computer is a Dual core Intel 2.2 gHz Macbook Pro.

I'll probably install it myself.

If anyone can give some solid advice on what the best purchase option is, I'd be grateful
     
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Feb 18, 2010, 02:18 AM
 
Do you really need the drive on the road? Do you have to replace it with an internal optical? You'll pay much less and get significantly better performance with an external optical drive.
     
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Feb 18, 2010, 07:51 AM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
Do you really need the drive on the road? Do you have to replace it with an internal optical? You'll pay much less and get significantly better performance with an external optical drive.
Yeah, I was looking into that as well. External drives are MUCH cheaper.

I guess it would bug me to have a broken component on my computer. But I think you're right about the external drive. One other benefit I see to an external drive is that it would use less energy and generate less heat.
     
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Feb 18, 2010, 08:55 AM
 
If you don't like the idea of carrying around a broken internal optical in your MBP you can remove it. The pre-UB MBP isn't a piece of cake to disassemble, but with a decent guide it's definitely doable. You could even replace it with a drive carrier and install a second HDD or an SSD.



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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
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Feb 18, 2010, 09:08 AM
 
That drive bay is sweet!

I recently had to replace the DVD drive in my MacBook. As far as I know, any MacBook or MacBook Pro drive will work in any model MacBook or MacBook Pro. I took note of which MacBook Optical Drives folks were selling on eBay, then googled the model numbers of those drives to compare them. I bought mine from geeks.com. I found their listing on eBay, but since I use that site regularly I just bought it from their site directly and saved a few bucks.

They currently have two MacBook drives listed...
Notebook DVD Drive, Notebook DVD Drive, Internal Laptop DVD Drive, Internal Notebook DVD Drive

If you do look on eBay, make sure you examine the auctions carefully! There are folks who have buy-it-now prices that are $10 cheaper then anyone else's, only to tack on $30 in shipping....
     
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Feb 18, 2010, 10:02 AM
 
Originally Posted by Simon View Post
You could even replace it with a drive carrier and install a second HDD or an SSD.

Yeah! I think I like that solution!

Taking part the case does look involved. But, a couple days ago I tore down my iPod video and changed the video screen. I'd say the complexity level is about even. Although, the iPod is smaller with tiny components, so that may have been a little more difficult. I'm pretty sure I can do this without any problems.
     
   
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