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    Replacing a DVD burner with blu-ray drive?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by lucas755, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. lucas755

    lucas755 Notebook Geek

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    I'm buying a laptop with a DVD burner, not a blu-ray drive, although some configurations do come with blu-ray. Since blu-ray is the up-and-coming technology, and I may need it sometime in the future, is there any way to swap it for a blu-ray drive?
     
    lucas755, Apr 14, 2010
    #1
  2. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Absolutely. But you should list your laptop for a more comprehensive feedback.

    My laptop came with a blu-ray player but not a writer (still relatively rare in laptops). Rather then upgrading by swapping out my current drive, I choose an external writer for added durability.

    Unless you prefer the convenience of an internal drive, you might want to consider that option aswell. Although is does add more devices, it's still portable!
     
    Krane, Apr 14, 2010
    #2
  3. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    swapping a drive in most units is easy, just remove the single locking screw and pop the drive out, then slide in a new one.
     
    crazycanuk, Apr 14, 2010
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  4. lucas755

    lucas755 Notebook Geek

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    Yeah, it's really the convenience factor, although I don't really see myself using blurays anywhere but at home. Regardless, here is my laptop:

    Acer Aspire 7740G-6364
    17.3" 1600x900 screen
    Intel Core i5 430M(2.26GHz)
    4GB DDR3 RAM
    500GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 1GB

    I'm not sure if this would help, though, since it's a reletively new machine. (Technically, according to Acer's website, it shouldn't even be available.)
     
    lucas755, Apr 14, 2010
    #4
  5. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    Be careful with the oversimplifications; not all machines are the same. For one, some have fascias that don't always fit.
     
    Krane, Apr 14, 2010
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  6. woofer00

    woofer00 Wanderer

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    If you're in a pinch, tin snips, superglue, and some creativity can make any fascia fit.
     
    woofer00, Apr 15, 2010
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  7. Fintan

    Fintan Notebook Consultant

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    This is very well possible, if the interface of your current drive is SATA. I believe most blu-ray drives have this now.
    'Old-style' DVD drives often have an PATA/IDE interface still.

    See for the difference in connectors (picked a few pics at random)

    PATA/IDE:
    [​IMG]

    SATA:
    [​IMG]

    You might as well check out the site where i found these pics, it's the process for a gateway - but most probably quite similar: http://nunetherlands.wordpress.com/upgrade-your-gateway-fx-p-series-laptop-with-a-blu-ray-drive/

    Aside from SATA vs PATA there are different heights as well: 9.5 vs 12.7 mm.

    PS: sorry for oversized pics
     
    Fintan, Apr 15, 2010
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  8. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    its quite simple to replace and from the looks of it , u will need a SATA blue ray drive since the 5 series chipset uses SATA... no PATA at all..
     
    sean473, Apr 15, 2010
    #8