Trying to Find a Slim External DVD Burner

[dmw16]

I have been looking for a slim external DVD burner, but I can't find any on newegg that specifically say they work on a mac.

Are there any that someone can suggest, or do they all work and just not say so?

 

[TheStu]

For the most part they all work. I worried about the same thing when I got my external DVD burner since none of the burners I was looking at specifically said "For OS X", but I have never had an issue with it. Sure, I can't use the lightscribe function, but that isnt not important to me anyway

 

[dmw16]

I was tempted to buy an internal superdrive and install it (or spend the $245) and get one installed. But there sure are a lot of tiny parts to take out to install that drive.

 

[manly]

LaCie makes a FireWire bus-powered 8X burner that's bundled with Toast 8 Titanium (Toast 9 is now out).

Which Mac do you have? Although I'm not fond of personally dismantling Mac laptops, I'd go with self-swapping the optical drive. =)

 

[xyyz]

what about the macbook air drive? is that a DVD-RW drive or a standard CDRW drive?

i picked an IBM one off of ebay for $60. after using this thing, i'm leaning towards not putting a DVD-RW in any system.

 

[dmw16]

Air drive doesn't work on non-Air laptops.

I have a 13" Core2 Duo Macbook. I think I am either going to put a DVD burner in my file server PC for do the self-swap. My friend has dismantled his macbook a few times and feels confident we can do it without issue.

 

[Tyranicus]

From experience, I can tell you that swapping optical drives on a MacBook is annoying, but relatively easy. You have to take a bunch of screws out, and pull the topcase off, but really, it isn't that hard. I would recommend using f the iFixit guide.

 

[dmw16]

That was my plan.

 

[xyyz]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Air drive doesn't work on non-Air laptops.

I have a 13" Core2 Duo Macbook. I think I am either going to put a DVD burner in my file server PC for do the self-swap. My friend has dismantled his macbook a few times and feels confident we can do it without issue.

seriously? that's some serious BS... :/

 

[dmw16]

^ Yeah, it is well documented around the net. Although the reasons seem to be unclear. From what I've gathered the Air's USB ports are capable of more amperage or something. It doesn't sound like a simple software hack will make it work, but it sure would be be nice.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: dmw16
^ Yeah, it is well documented around the net. Although the reasons seem to be unclear. From what I've gathered the Air's USB ports are capable of more amperage or something. It doesn't sound like a simple software hack will make it work, but it sure would be be nice.

I'm wondering if someone could cobble together a dual USB A Male to single USB A female, one that could draw power from 2 ports, but only send data to one, much like what they usually bundle with external 2.5" drives, if you could then drive the Air Drive. $100 is a little steep for testing though.

 

[KeithP]

This MCE external might do the trick.

-KeithP

 

[mshan]

I have one of these external notebook enclosures and it includes a usb cable that plugs into two usb ports (one for data, other just for extra power):http://censuspc.com/2.5-inch-D...-HD-ESU25-pr-2656.html (click on pics)

I think lots of other companies probably include same cable with their branded notebook enclosures.