[kuzzy]

Did a quick search and didn't see anyone mention but on mcetech.com, new specs are listed for the superdrive:

"1x DVD-R"
1x DVD-RW
2x DVD-RAM

New shipping info says "expected to start shipping March 27"

Interesting with the decreased -R burning speed. Makes the high price a little less attractive. Guess I'll still hang on the low chance of a firmware upgrade (likely 3rd party) giving original TiBook Superdrives -RW, -RAM support.

[tr]

the 1x is no big deal, really. it puts it at the same level as the new powerbooks.

from the powerbook specs:

Optional SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW); writes DVD-R discs at 1x speed; reads DVDs at 8x speed; writes CD-R discs at 8x speed; writes CD-RW discs at 4x speed; reads CDs at 24x speed (12-inch model)

SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW); writes DVD-R discs at 1x speed; reads DVDs at 8x speed; writes CD-R discs at 8x speed; writes CD-RW discs at 4x speed; reads CDs at 24x speed (15-inch and 17-inch models)

actually, the drive from mce looks pretty good. it ups the CD-R/RW speeds of the apple superdrive (mce is 16x/8x, apple is 8x/4x), and it gives you DVD-RAM functionality.

i read somewhere (another topic?) that 2x burning on a powerbook was just unreliable, that's why it's 1x.

a slot-load DVD-R for $450? that's not so bad...hell, i paid $400 for a Pioneer DVR-A03 just 2 years ago!

tr

[kuzzy]

I agree the drive is still a great product. It is too bad Apple stripped the remaining DVD burning functionality and lowered the CD burning speeds. I wonder is any reliability/heat issues had any influence on the lower CD burning speeds in the TiBook Superdrive? I look forward to reports from those who purchase the drive though MCE.