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    Upgrading optical drive in Studio 1555

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by stampede12, Sep 16, 2009.

  1. stampede12

    stampede12 Notebook Enthusiast

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  2. Meatball.[oni]

    Meatball.[oni] Notebook Enthusiast

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    stampede12:

    Most laptop optical drives share the same form factor. Blu-Ray drives are likely the same form factor, however be aware that they consume considerably more energy.

    The drive in the auction you have is a slot-in load type, so if yours ejects the entire drive tray and front bezel, this one will not fit. Otherwise you should have no problems doing a direct replacement.
     
  3. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    The Studio 1555 uses a slot-load optical drive, not a tray.
     
  4. Meatball.[oni]

    Meatball.[oni] Notebook Enthusiast

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    I wasn't sure so I mentioned the possibility, thanks for the verification :)
     
  5. stampede12

    stampede12 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unfortunately, I bought the pop-out style drive by mistake, which is why I ask :(

    I thought they were all the same.

    So this one will fit, do you reckon? :)
     
  6. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    12.5mm SATA slot-loading...it looks good on paper. Will you be able to return it if it doesn't work?
     
  7. stampede12

    stampede12 Notebook Enthusiast

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    In theory, I probably would be able to, but for how much it would cost, it might not be worth it. I ended up selling the last one for half what I paid for it, would rather not have to do that again :p

    So... you reckon it will probably fit? :)
     
  8. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    I do believe so. And that is an excellent price for a Blu-Ray reader drive; the one that the Studio 15 normally comes with (a Sony Optiarc model) retails for two or three times that.
     
  9. dlinfiniti

    dlinfiniti Notebook Enthusiast

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    it won't work unless you mod the case, the external part of the drive is part of the laptop, not drive, so a popout won't work unless you cut out a section of the panel
     
  10. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    If by "popout" you mean tray-loading drive, you're right, but the drive he linked is a slot-load, just like the one that normally comes with the Studio 15. He won't need to do any case modding.
     
  11. dlinfiniti

    dlinfiniti Notebook Enthusiast

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    oh haha i shoulda clicked that link first
    clearly our mental pictures are very different
    yeah that drive should work
     
  12. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    Hah, not a problem. You had me going for second, thinking "did I really miss something that obvious?" :p
     
  13. BlueDan

    BlueDan Notebook Enthusiast

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    Don't forget you'll need suitable software to play back Blu Ray discs (which may need to be paid for).
     
  14. raduque

    raduque Notebook Evangelist

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    Here's a question: Do models not equipped from Dell with a Bluray drive support HDCP on the internal connector?
     
  15. stampede12

    stampede12 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No worries about software, I'll "pay" for that whenever I get the physical drive to work :p

    HDCP? Wassat? :(
     
  16. gmtech

    gmtech Newbie

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    Hello all. I see this post and ask, what is the Dell part number for the blue ray drive and is this possible? The guys at tech support say it is not possible. Some clarification would be greatly appreciated.