MacBook, MacBook Pro 8x SuperDrive upgrade
updated 11:40 am EST, Fri February 1, 2008
8x SuperDrive upgrade
MCE Technologies today debuted a new slim slot-loading 8X SuperDrive upgrade (site not updated) for Apple's MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks. The drives write to DVD+R DL (Double Layer) as well as DVD-R DL, and are designed to replace the original 4X and 6X SuperDrives in Apple's stock systems. Built to accommodate the slender form factor of Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro, the drive upgrade ships for $200 with all required tools and instructions to perform the upgrade at home.
The MCE 8X SuperDrive upgrade utilizes a drive mechanism measuring 9.5mm in height, compared to standard 12.5mm tall mechanisms. The upgrade writes to standard DVD-R and DVD+R media at up to 8X speed, while standard DVD-RW and DVD+RW media record at up to 4X speed. Burning 8.5GB DVD+R Double Layer media and 8.5GB DVD-R Dual Layer media is also supported at up to 4X speed.
The drive writes to standard 650MB (74 minute) and 700MB (80 minute) CD-R media at up to 24X speed, and records to standard CD-RW media at up to 10X speed. MCE's drive reads DVD-ROM discs at up to 8X speed, and reads standard CD-ROM discs at up to 24X speed.
The MCE 8X SuperDrive upgrade with Dual/Double Layer support is bootable, and is natively compatible with Mac OS 10.4 and 10.5 as well as Apple’s iTunes, iDVD, Finder Burning, iPhoto, and DVD Player.
Region Free?
02/01, 12:08pm reply
Are they region free?
DaddyShortLegs
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2007
How big is that market
02/01, 01:23pm reply
I wonder how many MB/MBP users out there are suffering the abysmal 6x speeds of their current Superdrives and are dying to get their hands on this 8x ultra-fast puppy...
Is there really a market for a $200 device that would reduce the time it takes to burn a single DVD from 20 to 15 minutes? How often do people burn DVDs on their portables?
I'm really curious as to the purpose (and fate) of this product.
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Great time saver!
02/01, 01:46pm reply
Wow Great! I can save about a couple of minutes of my very precious time by buying this US$200 burner! Now lets do the math: I burn CD's an DVD's per year? 4 or 5? Pfff
Appleman
Mac Elite
Joined: Feb 2001
Re: how big
02/01, 01:49pm reply
Well, one would think big enough for the company to offer it. They're not new to this business.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
8X not the important news
02/01, 07:28pm reply
The fact that the drive is 8x is not the significant news. The important part is that there is after two years there is now an alternative to replacing your malfunctioning Matsushita or Hitachi-LG 9.5mm mechanism with something other than the same suspect Apple-supplied part. Maybe this will malfunction at the same higher rates as well. If not, it will be welcomed by many people who own MacBook Pros (MacBooks can use 12.5mm mechanisms and there are already lots of alternatives there).
Twisted
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2008