Lenovo Blu-Ray for x220 Ultrabase Series 3?

It seems for the x200 Ultrabase you could use this which can be had for less than $200 but for the x220 Ultrabase Series 3 it appears this is required which happens to cost well over $1000! The specs appear to be identical. Anyone know what's up with this?

 

Well, seeing how the $1000 model is also compatible with the X200 series, I don't see why not. I was wondering this myself actually.. Any aftermarket 9.5mm bluray burners that could be had?

 

Of course it's possible the newer version (43N3230) is backwards compatible but the older one (43N3215) is not forwards compatible. I just don't get the price disparity when they have the same specs. What's the difference?

 

Probably the older one was obsoleted, hence the lower price and why it does not show as working with the Ultrabase Series 3. Likely either one will work in the Ultrabase Series 3 (just a guess though). Neither one seems available at Lenovo USA AFAICT (can be had from 3rd parties though). I see the newer one available at Lenovo UK.

Lenovo - Find accessories for your laptop and desktop - Storage -

 

The problem is the price. It's over $1000 everywhere, including Lenovo UK. I just don't know why.

 

If it was me, I think I would take a chance and get the older one at the substantially lower price, but make sure I could return it if it didn't work.

Or you could wait until someone else tries one of these older ones in their Ultrabase Series 3 and reports back or blogs about it.

Note also the following regarding the older one:

Code:

• Announce date: 05 Aug 2008 (Worldwide)
• Planned availability date: 05 Aug 2008 (Worldwide)
• Discontinued, withdrawn from marketing: October 2009 
          • Recommended replacement: ThinkPad Blu-ray Burner Ultrabay
            Slim 9.5mm Drive II - SATA - replacement has a bevel on the
            bottom edge of the black bezel

 

I also have a related questions regarding ultrabay compatibility:
It says here that the 43N3212 is not compatible with the x220 however a similar drive of the same generation, the 43N3214 is compatible.

It seems illogical to me that the 43N212 isn't compatible while the others are, when they are all the same size and all compatible with the old x200 ultrabases. Can anyone shed some light on this?

I ask because a 43N212 is about $40 cheaper to buy and has all the functionality i need.

 

If you're not moving it much, why not just buy an external USB drive?

 

After I posted the above...
For my X220 I bought the Ultrabase Series 3, the DVD multiburner, and a 2nd hard drive adapter (I am not in the market for a Blu-Ray drive). I note that the DVD multiburner and 2nd hard drive adapter both have a 1/4" long nub or pin in the center of the back side of the Ultrabay Slim device. You can see it in the image links above. The older obsolete drive does not appear to have this. I am unsure of it's significance.

 

Well I already have the ultrabase, and right now the ultrabay is empty anyway. Also i already have more than enough external hard drives, speakers and monitor cables on my desk, would prefer not to have anymore.

 

I have the older Blu-Ray drive 43N3215. I put it in a T420s and it works fine. I don't have the X220 ultrabase, but unless they are different, I don't see why it will not work. However, an older version of the 2nd hard drive adapter (26R9246) did not work on the T420s. I have no idea why on that one. The interface looked exactly the same.

 

The aftermarket 2nd hard drive adapters from what I have seen usually do not have the tabs on the back.

That was what appeare to be the only physical difference between the series II and series III adapters. Two tabs for the series II and only one for the series III. There, of course, could be an electrical difference.

Brad