Comments on: Pull Apart: External USB MacBook Air SuperDrive

By: Alexandre

Alexandre — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:18:59 +0000

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?

By: Jeff G.

Jeff G. — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:59:37 +0000

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.

By: jacob

jacob — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:09:04 +0000

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).

By: Ooops.

Ooops. — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:02:54 +0000

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

By: What Yousay?

What Yousay? — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:50:38 +0000

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.

By: jacob

jacob — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:20:34 +0000

Very true, that’s a good option too. Although the OWC drive isn’t Apple-branded, if that matters.

By: Mel

Mel — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:08:10 +0000

Actually, it looks like Other World Computing (and who knows, maybe others) sells a replacement bard drive for $99.95.

By: GChip

GChip — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:10:59 +0000

“As of June â€˜08, you could even put the bare drive on eBay and turn a profit.”

That is so wrong… but SO brilliant!