Superdrive on MacBook Pro

**Yogi Bear** · January 18th, 2006, 05:25 AM

Can anyone confirm for me that the MacBook Pro's built in superdrive is only the 4x single layer version and not the 8x double layer version that is found in the G4.

Also does anyone know what goes in an express card slot and what could you possibly need that isnt built in??

**Zammy-Sam** · January 18th, 2006, 05:29 AM

I read they are using a smaller/tinnier superdrive in the MacBook Pros that really doesn't support dual-layer DVD burning. By the way, check out the thread on the success of dual-layer media. After that you won't feel so sorry for no dual-layer burning support.
The express card slot could be used for additional USB slots, firewire 800, memory stick drives, upcoming wifi cards...

**fryke** · January 18th, 2006, 05:48 AM

3G cards probably, too, although not available yet for that slot.

**ElDiabloConCaca** · January 18th, 2006, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by Yogi Bear

Can anyone confirm for me that the MacBook Pro's built in superdrive is only the 4x single layer version and not the 8x double layer version that is found in the G4.

You don't need us to confirm for you -- you can read it for yourself right there on the product page:

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/whatsinside.html

Also does anyone know what goes in an express card slot and what could you possibly need that isnt built in??

The Express Card slot is the next-generation PCMCIA slot. Many, many, many things can go in there -- modems, expansion cards for more USB/FireWire ports, wireless cards, SCSI adaptors, flash card readers, just about anything you can think of. On the Windows side of things, they even have PCMCIA graphics adaptors.

Besides, new technology is always coming out. If they didn't build it into the MacBook Pro, then without the slot you'd be absolutely stuck with what features were built-in. A "pro" machine should be truly expandable, and that's what that slot is for: expandability.

http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/

**lurk** · January 18th, 2006, 09:57 AM

Yeah but since they have only included the smaller slot you will not be able to get a dongle free compact flash card reader for it. That will greatly suck for use with any high end digital cameras. It is silly but that is the thing that has most put me off the MacBook Pro, the idea that I can't just pop the CF card from my 20D in there any more.

**ElDiabloConCaca** · January 18th, 2006, 03:58 PM

I didn't know that the PCMCIA slot was pin-compatible with CF cards... you learn something new everyday!

Besides, the ExpressCard slot is cutting-edge technology, much like FireWire was when it was first introduced -- obviously, there aren't going to be a lot of peripherals available for it immediately, but there is a 5-in-1 flash card reader already available:

http://www.yedata.co.jp/index_ie.html

**lurk** · January 18th, 2006, 08:00 PM

Yes but if you look at the five different cards supported none of them are compact flash. The problem is that compact flash cards are 42 mm wide which is a bit too big to fit in the 34 mm slot. So no reader for me!