[Tuoder]

My 1st generation MB's warranty is going away, and I've decided that it would be nice to put a dual-layer +/- DVD burner into mine to replace the ComboDrive. I was wondering what the cheapest option on the market is right now. A cursory search for one specific model turned up some expensive results, so I have decided to ask for a cheaper model here.

[jamiemcf]

You mean you want to do it yourself? I've seen a couple of places around offering it for about $200 overnight but can't remember where. I'd love to get me a DVD burner if I could DIY it but not paying $200...

[Tuoder]

Yes, I want to do it myself. I already upgraded the RAM and the hard drive to 2GB and 120GB, respectively. I realize this is harder, but I want to be able to burn DVDs, and dual layer, as well. I also don't want to pay what ifixit wants for a drive, either. They gouge pretty badly, IMO. I saw a buy it now auction on ebay for the same model drive that ifixit sells the other day. It went for less than half of the ifixit price. I was thinking that I could realize greater savings by using a cheaper brand/model.

[mfbernstein]

Ultraslim DVD burners are still somewhat rare. The 12.5mm ones won't fit, and even those are around $70 or so. If you don't want to pay full price for the 9.5mm drives, eBay is the place to go. The Matshita (aka Matsushita/Panasonic) U-857 is the mechanism Apple uses, and so should be compatible.