[MountainMac]

Anyone know what the reasoning is behind the lack of choice b/tw a combo drive and a superdrive on the iMac G5s? Is it a space/configuration issue? If so, I wonder what the form factor of the "no optical" version is that's offered for education only.

(I'm sure this has been discussed before but I couldn't find much in a search except pages of pre-September speculation about an iMac G5.)

MM

[iPoder]

I think it is because of limited choices on slot-loading optical drives in the market. Not many vendors are making slot-loading combo drive or SuperDrive.

Therefore, you are limited to 4X burning speed on the SuperDrive.

I don't believe the form factor of the iMac without optical drive is different from the others. But Apple may put something (filler or some sort) in the same spot to make the weight evenly distributed.

[dootbran]

I'd imagine its just a marketing decision to differentiate between the two 17 inch models. A lot of people might not care too much about the 200 MHz but the superdrive would probably warrant the extra money.

[iPoder]

If you are talking about configuring a combo drive on 20" iMac, or a SuperDrive on 1.6 Ghz 17" iMac, you are temporarily out of luck.

But I am sure that someone out there might be willing to trade the drive with you (plus or minus some differences). Or take it out and sell it if you don't want the drive (probably not a big market for combo drive). Just post a trade message in the buy/sell forum.