MacBook - superdrive compatibility

creativecstasy · creativecstasy #1 (**permalink**)

08-27-2009, 11:57 PM

My macbook is in sad shape, and I'm trying to replace some parts myself. I have one of the first white 13" macbooks. eBay searches for used parts bring up dozens of different superdrive models - how do I know what's compatible? Is there a list somewhere that my google-fu failed to find?

Thanks!

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

08-28-2009, 12:19 AM

OWC has Super drives for MacBooks. Check here.

Regards.

creativecstasy · creativecstasy #3 (**permalink**)

08-28-2009, 12:35 AM

Thanks for the sales pitch, but it doesn't answer my question. There are dozens of places to buy them online, I want to know what is/n't compatible.

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

08-28-2009, 06:37 AM

Your first post requested a way to find out what "is" compatible. OWC will provide that along with the dimensions you need to be looking for in one to fit inside your particular machine if you check the specs they provide.

Second post now wants to know what "is not" compatible. Sorry, but good luck on finding such a list.

jpdemers · jpdemers #5 (**permalink**)

08-29-2009, 04:02 AM

I've had the same problem trying to upgrade the SuperDrive in a Mac Mini, and also in trying to replace the drive in an Intel iMac. Apple keeps changing suppliers, and changing the specs, and there's really no way to know if any particular drive will work in your Mac. Not even Apple knows the outcome of all the possible combinations of Mac models, OS versions, drive models, and firmware revisions!

As suggested above, OWC does list some drives with compatibility information, and you could start with that and try to find the same drive on eBay. These are newer models, though, and you're not likely to find them used or scavenged. Older "slim line" drives of the UJ-845 vintage are common on eBay, and they're often compatible, but there are many exceptions. (They all fit physically, sometimes with a bit of modification -- the problems seem to arise when the firmware on the drive meets up with the drivers installed on your Mac.)

I've read that in some cases you can get a recalcitrant new drive working by re-installing the OS; apparently the installer detects the drive and installs the appropriate driver. I don't know what versions of the OS this applies to, but it can't hurt to try! If that fails, you can re-sell the drive on eBay and try another.

Sorry there's no simple answer -- good luck with your experiments.

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 22,031 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	08-28-2009, 06:37 AM Your first post requested a way to find out what "is" compatible. OWC will provide that along with the dimensions you need to be looking for in one to fit inside your particular machine if you check the specs they provide. Second post now wants to know what "is not" compatible. Sorry, but good luck on finding such a list. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

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creativecstasy #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 27, 2009 Posts: 2	08-27-2009, 11:57 PM My macbook is in sad shape, and I'm trying to replace some parts myself. I have one of the first white 13" macbooks. eBay searches for used parts bring up dozens of different superdrive models - how do I know what's compatible? Is there a list somewhere that my google-fu failed to find? Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,364 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	08-28-2009, 12:19 AM OWC has Super drives for MacBooks. Check here. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

jpdemers #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 29, 2009 Location: New York City Posts: 5 Mac Specs: Mini on steroids	08-29-2009, 04:02 AM I've had the same problem trying to upgrade the SuperDrive in a Mac Mini, and also in trying to replace the drive in an Intel iMac. Apple keeps changing suppliers, and changing the specs, and there's really no way to know if any particular drive will work in your Mac. Not even Apple knows the outcome of all the possible combinations of Mac models, OS versions, drive models, and firmware revisions! As suggested above, OWC does list some drives with compatibility information, and you could start with that and try to find the same drive on eBay. These are newer models, though, and you're not likely to find them used or scavenged. Older "slim line" drives of the UJ-845 vintage are common on eBay, and they're often compatible, but there are many exceptions. (They all fit physically, sometimes with a bit of modification -- the problems seem to arise when the firmware on the drive meets up with the drivers installed on your Mac.) I've read that in some cases you can get a recalcitrant new drive working by re-installing the OS; apparently the installer detects the drive and installs the appropriate driver. I don't know what versions of the OS this applies to, but it can't hurt to try! If that fails, you can re-sell the drive on eBay and try another. Sorry there's no simple answer -- good luck with your experiments.
	QUOTE Thanks

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