[B Gallagher]

Hey,
Sorry in advance if I end up posting a lot of questions over the next while - but I'm seriously thinking about getting an iBook, and switching from a PC. So there's a fair bit about Macs I don't know.
ie. n00b.

Anyways, I recently bought an internal optical drive (Samsung TS-H552B) for my PC (Desktop).

Would it be possible for me to remove the optical drive from the PC (hehe.. I know I can do this much ), get an external case for it (something like this ), and plug it into the iBook via USB or Firewire?

Also, if I can do all this, would I also be able to flash the external drive, and not the internal SuperDrive (thus leaving the warranty valid, right?)?

Thanks for all your help.

[MARINEOSX]

I can't remember for sure but I think this was discussed in another thread. Or at-least something along these lines. Do a search and see if anything pops up. I am not sure on the specifics of this. However I do know that there is a dual layer burner upgrade for the iBook. So that is something that is cool. Sorry if you have already looked and for not having any real info for you.

[Captain Obvious]

You can use it in an external case. You may even be able to get the iLife Apps to work with it by using patchburn. You can for sure you it with Toast 5 or above.
It may not be bootable though.

And flashing the external drive all depends on the application that is used to do it. If it is a PC program that flashes the firmware then no, you will not be able to. If there is a Mac version to do it then yes.

But since you have a PC you can flash the drive in that to change the firmware and pop it back into the external case to use with the iBook.