Replacement superdrive

Posted by: andym

Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 17:57

The superdrive in my MBP is going blind. I've had troubles with certain brands of CDR and DVDR for a while. But I've just bought a new album which is on a black CD (like the old PSone discs) and my MBP refuses to read it.

I've used ifixit.com for info replacing HD's in my Macs and I noticed that they are selling 8x superdrives at $200. Does anyone know of an OEM replacement that isn't as expensive? My local PC bits supplier has slot loading burners for £40, admittedly not a direct replacement but exactly the same specs otherwise.

According to System Profiler it's an HL-DT-ST DVDRW GWA4080MA.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 18:17

Mac Drive Database (search for DVD±R/RW Drives, IDE, MBP)

Matsushita/Panasonic UJ-875-S
Pioneer DVR-K05
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 18:23

Also check here.
Posted by: tman

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 18:25

It used to be that you needed specific burners for the built in Apple burning software to recognise it as a Superdrive and enable certain features. Not sure whether that is still true or not now.
Posted by: andym

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 18:48

Hmmm, the UJ-875-S is available from linITX who I've bought from before. But everything I've read seems to indicate it's only for the 17" MBP, mine's the 15".

However the dimensions match, as do the positions of the connectors, for £60 (versus £76 + postage from the US at Powerbook Medics) it's probably worth a punt.

Legally, what are the chances of returning it if it doesn't fit?
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 18:50

One of those reviews said that the 15" MBP might need a drive with the short dimension being smaller than normal.

This page shows the MBP15 drive having a "height" of 9.5mm, while the one you reference says 12.7mm.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 18:56

Originally Posted By: tman
It used to be that you needed specific burners for the built in Apple burning software to recognise it as a Superdrive and enable certain features.

Or a patch.

Originally Posted By: tman
Not sure whether that is still true or not now.

Apparently not:
Quote:
Apple changed its strategy to exclude 3rd party burners. As far as I could test it, there is no need for Patchburn under Mac-OS X 10.5 any more!
Posted by: AndrewT

Re: Replacement superdrive - 01/04/2009 19:19

http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/product.php?productid=16916
Quote:
Part Name: Apple SuperDrive DVD Burner Drive 8x - Macbook Pro

Apple Part #: 678-0525

Model #: UJ-857-E or UJ-857-C replaces GWA-4080M and UJ-857, also replaces combo drive CW-8221 OR 678-0525

Description:

This is a 8X Dual layer replacement Apple SuperDrive DVD-R Burner For the MacBook 13" and MacBook Pro 15". (Not compatible with Macbook Pro 17" Models, for those, use item # 16592) The drive reads DVDs (8x) and CDs (24x), burns CDs (24x or 10x rewrite), and burns DVDs (8x). (Note that there are several versions of the UJ-857, this is the fastest version 8x dual layer. There are also 2x and 6x versions of this drive on the market, so do not get confused my the model #.)