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    Information on upgrading to blu-ray drive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Monroeski, Sep 25, 2009.

  1. Monroeski

    Monroeski Newbie

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    I'm looking at picking up a Studio 15 from the Dell Outlet, and I really want a blu-ray drive but I'm finding a lot of laptops that have all the specs I want except for the drive. Unfortunately, information on buying aftermarket blu-ray drives for laptops seems a little lacking on the internet (though admittedly I'm behind a web filter and thus can't reach every site I'd like to try).

    Most of my expertise is in desktops, where a drive is a drive and they all fit. It seems like with laptops, though, you'd have to be pretty careful and make sure to get a drive that fits properly; are there any sites that have any kind of guide for this? I've tried typing a few different things into google to find out what brand/model the Studio 15s come with so I could just order one of those, but I can't find the info anywhere. I think I read somewhere about the uj-110 or uj-120 working, but again, can't find confirmation.

    I find some links saying that an internal drive will cost $250 to $400, while others say a decent drive is only $60-100.

    Is this as hard as I'm making it, or do I just need to brush up on my google-fu?

    ::edit::
    Well, going through a few other topics on this site and spending a little more time online, I've found some of what I'm looking for at least - The Studio 15 comes with either a Panasonic uj-235a or a Sony BC-5600s. Both of those are in the >$230 range or so. Still, is there a list of anything that may be a bit cheaper that would be compatible?
     
    Monroeski, Sep 25, 2009
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  2. tufty1974

    tufty1974 Notebook Guru

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    I bought a used BC-5500s from ebay for my ASUS for $65. It works just fine and I'm very pleased with it. I did consider the external USB variants, but in the end I went internal.

    If it helps, I found out that with the Sony-NEC-Optiarc drives, you CANNOT use the official firmwares in OEM drives. Mine is a Sony OEM and I can't use the Optiarc firmware (odd innit, it's made by part of Sony, but the firmware won't work!).

    Also, for the 5500 series, the 5500s indicates SATA interface, 5500a is PATA, that possibly holds true for the 5600 as well.

    EDIT: forgot to say, many of the used drives on ebay have no bezel, you will have to unclip the one from your current drive. It can be fiddly.
     
    tufty1974, Sep 25, 2009
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