Powerbook G4 Aluminum Superdrive replacement?

[Redjack]

Hey Guys:

This doesn't really apply to Marketplace but my Superdrive is on the fritz. It can't really read discs well and has been burning duds for the last month. I think I need a new one (it's 4 yrs old so...yea) but how can I find out which replacement CD and DVD writers are compatible out there for my PB G4 12"?

BTW mine is the PBG4 12" mini DVI model, if that helps.

 

[Christopher]

Perhaps this?

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Panasonic/UJ875/

 

[tomlee59]

I'm not a fan of Matsushita drives. Apple's firmware is unnecessarily restrictive about what media types are supported, and Matsushita steadfastly abides by its agreement with Apple not to provide any firmware support. Consider yourself fortunate in being forced to upgrade.

I recommend replacing it with a Pioneer slot-loader. Pioneer drives produce good results with a wide variety of DVD media.

 

[Scott Baret]

I agree about the Pioneer drives. I've never had bad luck with one, either personally or in the field.

 

[joshc]

Slot load drives, no matter what brand, will still break under heavy usage, especially if often used for writing discs. You don't have much choice with your PowerBook, but normally I would recommend investing in an external standard 5.25" drive, as they are very reliable and cheap!

 

[bizzle]

Just an FYI, it's a huge pain in the ass to do sort of drive replacement on a 12" PB.

 

[LCGuy]

Slot load drives, no matter what brand, will still break under heavy usage, especially if often used for writing discs. You don't have much choice with your PowerBook, but normally I would recommend investing in an external standard 5.25" drive, as they are very reliable and cheap!

Thats probably what I'm going to do when my MacBook's SuperDrive fails outside of warranty...and then put one of these in the internal optical bay.

 

[Redjack]

What are some good Pioneer replacement drives that would be "compatible"? Would all slot-loaders that would fit work? How can I find out more? xlr8yourmac.com is out-dated but is their information still solid?

BTW, thanks for the OWC site, but..$100? I know drives can be had for cheaper and i took apart my PB12" once to change the HD but it sure was hell.

 

[Christopher]

Slot load drives, no matter what brand, will still break under heavy usage, especially if often used for writing discs. You don't have much choice with your PowerBook, but normally I would recommend investing in an external standard 5.25" drive, as they are very reliable and cheap!

Then tell me why my matshisuta(whatever) lasted in my iMac G5 iSight the whole life until the machine was replaced?

 

[tomlee59]

Although it is likely that the little notebook drives are indeed more fragile than their desktop counterparts, it does not necessarily follow that notebook drives are all destined for a short life. We'd have to gather a lot of statistics to know for certain; anecdotes and assertions from individual experience are, of course, a poor substitute for data.

 

[LCGuy]

If its any indication, I got 7 years from the 8x TEAC drive that came with my 1400 (which I've had since new). And my iMac's original Panasonic CD-ROM drive (which is a notebook unit, tray load iMac) was still working fine at the beginning of the year when I replaced it with a Combo drive.