Laptop DVD burner

[Tea]

Before I start navigating the absurd intricacies (and sometimes-amazing prices) of IBM's website, does anyone know what the drill is on internal optical drives for IBM Thinkpads?

I have an R51 which came with a combo drive. The entire drive seems to be user-removable. Can I just buy a DVD burner and slip it into that slot?

Brands? Suuppliers? Hints?

Thanks guys.

(BTW, this is all Lunar Mist's fault. If I hadn't bought that new camera with the rapid repeat rate and the large image size, I'd still be doing just fine with CDs. But backing up a day's shots to CD just isn't practical anymore. I need more capacity!)

 

[Tea]

OK, according to IBM, I can buy it from them for AU$389. Or buy it wholesale for $383. (Big saving. Not. Bloody Ingram Micro. What's their excuse? By the time I buy one from Ingram and they gouge me for credit card fees and freight from Sydney, I might as well just buy it at retail from IBM online.)

So, it's bound to be OEMed by a 3rd party manufacturer, can I get hold of the third party drive and spend a bit less?

 

[Mercutio]

I'm not familiar with the R-series, but IIRC the Ultrabay drives are a slightly different shape from a standard slimline drive.

 

[Tea]

Thanks Merc. Sounds as if I'd better just pay the money then. But I'll wait a few days in case sonmeone can make an alternative suggestion.

(BTW, external drives are not a sensible option, not given the locations I operate in. Although I might come at an external Firewire burner that can run off rechargable batteries. If there is such a thing. If it doesn't cost more than IBM's overpriced unit. Which is not lilkely.)

 

[Mercutio]

They're about $250 in the US. No savings to be had there!

 

[LunarMist]

Can I just buy a DVD burner and slip it into that slot?

Brands? Suuppliers? Hints?

Thanks guys.

(BTW, this is all Lunar Mist's fault. If I hadn't bought that new camera with the rapid repeat rate and the large image size, I'd still be doing just fine with CDs. But backing up a day's shots to CD just isn't practical anymore. I need more capacity!)

Hehehe.

I am not familiar with the IBMs, but most notebook optical drives can be replaced by removing the drive from the carrier/frame/plug adapter. You may need to cut the faceplate if it is not square. I added an 8x DVD burner to my old P5K without too much difficulty and I am rather clueless. It was an NEC 65xx that cost about $120. Which drive is currently in your notebook?

 

[Tea]

Good question. I have to go and do an on-site now (yes, starting early) but I'll pull the factory-fitted combo drive out tonight and have a look at it, see if it looks like a practical proposition.

(Err, Tea? Don't you think that I had better do the on-site?)

(Why? Perfectly simple job by the sound of it.)

(Yes, but I don't think the staff at the heart specialist's office will like your orange fur much. Probably think it's unhygenic or something.)

(Good point. You do the on-site. I'll stay here. I think I might have a second breakfast.)

 

[Santilli]

Tea:
IBM=Apple=Panasonic pricing... :wink:

GS