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SuperDrive Options for Combo Drive PowerBooks?

Posted by Cliff on from the but-I-really-wanted-to-burn-DVDs dept.

inblosam asks: "I have a 800 Mhz PowerBook G4 Titanium. It has a combo drive so I can read/write CDs and read DVDs. I would REALLY like to make DVDs, but what is the best route? I know of one solution that will give me the upgrade for $400 so that is an option. But if they can get a hold of a superdrive and install it, why can't I? Where are they buying these or how do I find out how to get one for myself? Cheaper would be better, naturally. Is installing them a big factor? I also saw another DVD upgrade for the PowerBook, but it doesn't mention running iDVD, which would be one of the requirements for me actually upgrading. Otherwise I would just buy an external DVD burner."

4 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. OWC is selling them new by blkmagic · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, you can buy them at OWC brand new. http://www.macsales.com. $380 for Gigabit models and $400 for earlier.

  2. Reason Why iDVD doesn't work w/ External DVD-RW by webguru4god · · Score: 5, Informative
    I read in a recent MacWorld issue, in an article about upgrading your Mac, that iDVD is locked down so that you can only use it with DVD-R/RW drives that are installed on the internal IDE bus. This makes it easy to upgrade a desktop Mac to have a DVD-R/RW drive that works w/ iDVD, all you have to do is buy an internal drive.

    I personally have no idea where to get a Superdrive for a laptop, as I bet that Apple's Superdrive is only available through one OEM, because of it's compact size and engineering w/ the Powerbook line. If anyone does find where to buy a Superdrive that you can install yourself, I'd be interested to know also!

  3. Re:A better question would have been by sh00z · · Score: 5, Informative
    Anyone know a way to add a internal dvd burner to a ibook?
    Don't know if this is bait, but I'll bite: In addition to all of the above caveats about using an internal burner, there's one more important one: iDVD won't run on a G3 either. I have a G3, and use the Formac Devideon external drive. It costs more than the LaCie external mentioned above, but the DVD authoring software has one HUGE feature that CaptyDVD doesn't: the ability to save your file, quit, and resume coding later. This is important when you realize that it'll take 60 hours to encode a 2-hour DVD on a G3, and you actually want to use your computer for something else.
  4. Just break it by jonjohnson · · Score: 5, Funny

    I sent in my 12" powerbook a few weeks ago with a broken combo drive. I got it back on the 3rd day and looked at the slip... "Replaced Superdrive"

    Sure enough, I now can burn dvds.