External bay for CD/DVD removed from laptop?

[FixedGear]

I installed a SSD into my T400 and put the HDD into the CD/DVD bay. It's been great because I can't remember the last time I used a CD or DVD on my laptop. Anyhow, I want to burn some discs now but don't want to swap in the CD/DVD for my HDD.

Can anyone tell me if I can buy an external USB bay and put the CD/DVD drive into that? Saw this on eBay would it work? http://www.ebay.com/itm/External-Case-for-IBM-Thinkpad-T400-W500-W700-R400-DVD-CD-ROM-Free-Shipping-/230715099806 I don't need one that says IBM or Thinkpad or Lenovo, whatever is cheapest would be ideal for me.

The model of CD/DVD drive is 42T2545 (e.g. http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/42T2545-Thinkpad.html)

[Seth1968]

Yes, that's fine.

Any USB optical drive will do the the trick though.

[FixedGear]

thanks. do I need to buy a new drive though? I already have a drive, wouldn't it be best to just get an enclosure?

[Seth1968]

You're welcome.

An enclosure is fine as well. It just depends on the condition of your current drive, and the cost differential.

[revelations]

I've used this on macbook air ...

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX40411

[UndrgroundRider]

Originally posted by FixedGear
thanks. do I need to buy a new drive though? I already have a drive, wouldn't it be best to just get an enclosure?

The USB optical drives definitely work better than using an enclosure + sata dvd drive. For one, you can power a standalone usb optical drive from the USB port alone, versus an enclosure will require an external power supply. Also booting from the enclosure is hit or miss using the usb<->sata<->dvd approach (or at least it was 5 years ago, it has probably been that long since I used anything but a usb optical drive).

[toor]

I put the Superdrive outta my Macbook Pro into a $15 USB enclosure offa eBay. The optical drive is USB powered and works great, used for booting systems that don't like USB sticks but mostly collects dust. FYI there's two different thicknesses of laptop optical drives and not all enclosures have snap-off tabs to support both, so make sure you get the right one.

[clem24]

People still burn discs? :dunno: