[Zag]

I'm planning to install a CD-R/W/DVD combo drive in my iBOOk 700MHz.
I have never installed an internal CD unit before. So I don't know if I can do it by myself or better give it to a pro to install it for me (which it will be expensive around here). I would like to hear some advice.....thank you.

[chabig]

If you can find a drive, the installation should be easy. Good luck finding a drive, though. You could probably sell the iBook and buy a new model while saving money over the purchase of a new internal drive.

[vickster]

Originally posted by chabig:
If you can find a drive, the installation should be easy. Good luck finding a drive, though. You could probably sell the iBook and buy a new model while saving money over the purchase of a new internal drive.

Two things...

1) I'll have to search for the thread on the appropriate boards, but I don't think switching out the optical drive is "easy." IIRC, it's about 40 screws. I'll search around and see if I can provide a link.

2) It's not as hard finding a new drive as you'd think - I've got a Sony 16x Combo (model CRX-810E) that the previous owner installed. It's recongized perfectly by iTunes and DiscBurner (although I tend to use Toast for burning). The key is finding one with a bezel that aligns okay and looks good. When it's all said and done, you may be better off trading up, but that all depends on what else you've added - ram, airport, etc.

Good luck - my iBook 700 came "upgraded" with the combo drive, and extra 256mb ram, and a 40gb 5400 IBM hard drive. It's the best Mac I think I've ever owned...

vickster

[chabig]

I've done two hard drive upgrades on my iBooks, and it's not really hard if you're careful and methodical. But hard drives come in a standard physical form. I think optical drives differ sometimes, as in the bezel you mentioned.