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Slimline external DVD for laptop $49.00 + shipping

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beergeek:

In most cases, Laptop CDROM and DVD-ROM drives are IDE drives, but they have a different connector (50 something (?) pin JEDEC connector) which incorporates the 5V DC supply and ATAPI CD Audio out into one standardized interface. The system integrator can use an adapter to turn this JEDEC interface into anything they like, e.g. hot swap drives, docking stations, external enclosures (like this Archos drive) or convert them into 2.5" IDE connectors or even regular 3.5" IDE connectors for use on slim desktop PC, which HP has done with the e-PC in my case. However these adapters are OEM and very hard to find, and you may have a hard time trying to find the right bezel.

From the pictures it looks like that this may be a standard Laptop DVD IDE compliant drive stuffed into Archos Cardbus enclosure. Therefore it is possible to tear it apart and take the drive mechanism for other uses. Keep in mind that no one knows for sure until you take it apart.
 
Originally posted by: swNYC
beergeek:
In most cases, Laptop CDROM and DVD-ROM drives are IDE drives, but they have a different connector (50 something (?) pin JEDEC connector) which incorporates the 5V DC supply and ATAPI CD Audio out into one standardized interface. The system integrator can use an adapter to turn this JEDEC interface into anything they like, e.g. hot swap drives, docking stations, external enclosures (like this Archos drive) or convert them into 2.5" IDE connectors or even regular 3.5" IDE connectors for use on slim desktop PC, which HP has done with the e-PC in my case. However these adapters are OEM and very hard to find, and you may have a hard time trying to find the right bezel.

From the pictures it looks like that this may be a standard Laptop DVD IDE compliant drive stuffed into Archos Cardbus enclosure. Therefore it is possible to tear it apart and take the drive mechanism for other uses. Keep in mind that no one knows for sure until you take it apart.
Click to expand...
Thanx for the info! My primary interest would be in having an internal DVD to replace the CD-ROM I currently have in the laptop (Dell C600, if it matters). The bezel might be an issue, but I assume that if the drives are physically standardized, I'd be able to pull the CD out of the existing combo bay carrier I have and install the DVD in it. I'm guessing that I could also get an empty carrier from Dell (or perhaps cheaper on EBay, etc.)

ted


 
The drive itself should fit because physical dimensions are also standardized for laptop CD & DVD drives and even DVD/CDRW combos, but the bezel might look awkward or may not fit altogether.
 
Originally posted by: swNYC
The drive itself should fit because physical dimensions are also standardized for laptop CD & DVD drives and even DVD/CDRW combos, but the bezel might look awkward or may not fit altogether.
Click to expand...
Again, thanks for the info. I dicked around long enough that this one went OOS, but I'll keep the facts of the standardization in mind when I look at other (bare) drives...

ted

 
Dyam... talk about quick shipping! Arrived this morning! I ordered it late evening on the 23rd, shipped morning of 24th, got here today. SICK!!!

Wish mpsuperstore was this quick with my laptop... they freaking dragged it out for two days. Calling about credit card even though my address was on file, then having to call me at my home phone to confirm (I was out all day). Bleh...
 
cyberguy--Thanks for the post. For that price, I gave it a shot. Tiger's not my fave vendor, but.....I'd always wanted one anyway. It'll be interesting to see how it works with a Cel 400/196MB/4MB ATI laptop.
--Randy
 
Some of the guys on FW also ordered it. Seems to work OK but power off the PC Card slot is questionable. Most seem to think it runs slower than when using the AC adapter, and some had to use the PS2 power tap. Even then it was not enough power to run at full speed. I should be getting the CDRom version tomorrow. Will see how well that works. By the way, I heard that these drives use industry standard connections in them. I ran across one guy who bought the CDROM and swapped the internals out with a cheap lappy DVD drive, and it apparently works fine.
 
the drive works fine. it came in a shrink wrapped retail box. needless to say, all the cables, manuals and software were there. I tested mine using a Inspiron 8200 (thinking it'll have the latest components... or at least for the PCMCIA slots). Anyway, the PCMCIA slots aren't enough to power the unit. It still needs to be connected to the AC adapter, or the PS2 port. As for top speed, you don't need 8x to watch a movie anyway (unless you enjoy watching movies at 8x the speed 😉, so it doesn't matter.
 
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