Precision M4800 - Blu-ray Upgrade

Seriously considering an new Precision M4800 with the QHD screen. But there are no options for a Blu-ray, just DVD and this is a deal-breaker for me. Are there any options for getting a Blu-ray drive in there? Don't mind ordering one separately and fitting it myself provided there's no soldering involved. Anyone know if this is possible or has done this? Any links to a compatible drive available in the UK - ideally one from dell I can order at the same time as the laptop.

Thanks.

 

With a bit of looking around I've found a blu-ray writer for sale (not from dell) that apparently fits the M4700. Anyone know if the M4800 optical drive is the same as the M4700 optical drive? Haven't found a blu-ray reader in the UK for anything newer than an M4300 yet though. Also don't need a BD writer so would prefer not to pay the extra for one.

 

Any standard "ultra-slim" (9.5mm) drive will work fine. It's a very simple swap. You'll have to remove the bottom panel (two screws), remove the existing drive (one screw), remove the mounting bracket from the drive (two screws), install the bracket on the new drive, and stick it in.

The Panasonic UJ-262 is the standard BD-RE drive used by the Precision workstations, they're also available separately on Amazon and eBay (in the U.S. at least). It's a tray-loading drive, there's a slot-loading drive available as well, don't remember the model number. If you can get by with a BD-ROM drive you can probably find one a bit cheaper.

Make sure the drive you get comes with a standard square bezel. Some drives ship without the bezel. You can swap the bezel from the drive you're replacing if it's the same type (tray-loading vs. slot-loading).

 

In the Swiss Premier Store there is a possibility to configure a BD-Drive into the M4800:

2X Blu-Ray Writer Tray Load 2BRDT 1 [429-AAHV] 16

I guess it depends on the country (p.e. still no new XPS 15 yet in the Swiss Store), but you should ask your Dell Rep about this part numbers.

 

My upgraded blu-ray writer has the flaw in that it didn't come with a faceplate and does not have the connect point for the OEM face plate to fit. The old fascia just snaps on but there are no brackets on the upgrade to connect it to. The ultra slim drive fits well enough, but the face plate brackets aren't standardized.

My plate is attached only by friction (yeah, I know. Its going to fall of and get lost) so I can't eject without taking the fascia off. Not very aesthetic to say the least.

 

Here in India the M4800 is available only as a customizable option. Which had the :
2X Blu-Ray Writer Tray Load 2BRDT 1 [429-AAHV] listed.
I went for it .