Pull Apart: External USB MacBook Air SuperDrive
I needed a replacement Superdrive and I’ve been really curious as to what exactly is inside the Apple Macbook Air External USB Superdrive. So I bought one for $108 at my local Apple Store and proceeded to destroy the case by opening it using metal clippers to ensure nothing inside got damaged. However, now knowing more about how it is encased using tabs, I’ve written instructions here on how to open it without damaging anything.
While the MacBook Air SuperDrive only works externally with the MacBook Air possibly due to the USB adapter (Update: confirmed), the internal drive component is interchangeable with the internal 12.7mm 17″ Macbook Pro and most G4 PowerBook drives. It will not work with 15″ MacBook Pro or 13.3″ MacBook models since they need a slimmer 9.5mm SuperDrive.
Since it appears nobody has written a pull apart anywhere else, you can view the gory details after the jump…
Pull apart instructions…
Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate.
Requirements:Â MacBook Air SuperDrive, old ID or credit card (or similar), and a tiny phillips screwdriver.
Warning: Opening the case will no doubt void the warranty on the whole product. But this can be our little secret.
Step 1: With the bottom facing up, gently insert a credit card (a screwdriver is pictured, but in retrospect a credit card is less damaging since the metal is very pliable). There are three tabs (Update: better view) that need to be popped out and then you can pull one side of the undercarriage free, then the other.
Step 2: Remove three (3) screws and disconnect the USB adapter board (shown below).
Step 3: All done – now one can use it to replace essentially any 12.7mm height slot drive or even create your own external USB case. As of June ‘08, you could even put the bare drive on eBay and turn a profit.
If you need instructions on pulling apart various Macs and iPods, check out ifixit.com/Guide.
“As of June ‘08, you could even put the bare drive on eBay and turn a profit.”
That is so wrong… but SO brilliant!
Actually, it looks like Other World Computing (and who knows, maybe others) sells a replacement bard drive for $99.95.
Very true, that’s a good option too. Although the OWC drive isn’t Apple-branded, if that matters.
Take a look at NewEgg.com.
They have DVD burners for laptops for less than $50.
Apple has had universal Optical drive support for a while now.
Get real folks.
Or…..
You can buy the Pioneer DVR-K06 from Meritline for 74.99 (free shipping).
If you don’t believe me, here is the link:
http://www.meritline.com/pioneer-dvr-k106-dual-layer-slim-dvd-burner.html
Apple does offer universal hardware support now, but not necessarily driver support. Many of the drives on NewEgg will need PatchBurn – however the Pioneer DVR-K06 will definitely work with 10.5 since it’s basically the same drive Apple re-brands. There have been mixed reports on whether it works with 10.4 out of the box, and it definitely does not work with 10.3 or earlier (sans PatchBurn).
Thanks for publishing this pull-apart. I was able to dismantle my drive after I dropped it from a significant height and it stopped working.
Upon inspection, I discovered that the plastic piece that connects the read “head” to the drive spindle had been destroyed (obviously it was designed to break first instead of anything else inside the drive; however, I doubt that I can buy that replacement plastic piece. This will become my “spare parts” drive I guess, since dropping the drive isn’t covered by the warranty.
Anyone know where to get replacement parts for a “Sony NEC Opticarc, Inc model AD-5630A drive? Yeah, now that you’ve stopped laughing — anyway. Don’t drop your Macbook Air Superdrive!!! Duh.
Thanks! Good to know!
Do you think it can fit in a Mac Mini? I know it can’t fit in the latest Mac Mini (2009) because of the Sata connection but what about earlier Minis?
It could be a really cheap upgrade for my Mac Mini G4 since i got that 45$ off from Apple Store (thanks to Canadians Settlement for ipod dwindling battery life!)
What do you think?
It may be there are cheaper drives in the states but not in the UK, they’re all around that price. So this with the free bit of junk aluminium is the best way to get a replacement drive for a MacbookPro or, to answer the question above, the Mac Mini
I am so pissed with Apple.
Can anyone come up with a reason, good or not, why this drive is disabled with all other macs?
cheers for this, my air died and I was stuck with a disc in the superdrive. Was VERY annoyed, but you solved it ^_^