Slimline 8x Dual Layer SuperDrive Upgrade

reviewed by Eddie Hargreaves, November 2006

DVDs can hold six times as much data as a CD, but slow burning speeds mean it takes even longer to create them. FastMac's new internal slimline 8x Dual Layer SuperDrive upgrade enables users of Macs with slot-loading drives the ability to both burn DVDs faster and use the larger-capacity dual layer DVDs.

This drive replaces the slot-loading slim drives found in most PowerBooks, iBooks and iMacs, as well as the Intel Mac mini and the old Cube model. For a list of all the supported models, visit http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?products_id=274

As regards installation, if you're comfortable replacing the drive yourself, go for it. FastMac provides installation instructions in a PDF on the included CD. But most of the models this drive can be used in were never meant to have their optical drive replaced by home users, and Apple's laptops are notoriously difficult to muck around inside.

I tested it in an original iMac G5, one of Apple's few consumer models designed for easy access to internal components. But because I didn't have the necessary Torx screwdrivers, I opted to let an authorized service provider make the swap. Consider the possibility of that extra expense before purchasing.

If you're running Tiger, the Finder will automatically support burning without installing any extra software. But in order to see its benefits in the iLife applications and others, you must run the PatchBurn 4 application to install new drivers.

PatchBurn is a freeware application created and maintained by Christian Möller and hosted on his web site in Germany. http://www.patchburn.de/

The installer application expires every six months, and the version on the included CD had done so, requiring a trip to the web site to download the latest version. Installing the driver is an extremely simple process that only required an administrative password and a restart. The driver can also be uninstalled using this application.

Once both the drive and the software were installed, it was fully supported by all the applications I tested, including Disk Utility, Toast 7, iPhoto, iTunes and Finder. However, it was picky about the media I used. Imation DVD-R discs rated at 8x speed would not burn above 4x, but I had no problem burning at 8x speed with Sony and Memorex branded discs.

The drive reads and writes to an extensive list of disc formats, including both DVD+/-R/RW and the dual layer, or double layer, DVD+/-R (at 4x speed maximum). It has faster DVD-RW (6x) and DVD+RW (8x) write speeds, up to two times faster than Apple's top-of-the-line slimline SuperDrives.

It can also read and write to DVD-RAM discs, if you have any of those left over from an old PowerMac G4. Just crack the disc out of the case and pop it into your new slot-loading drive. To see the read and write speeds of all the formats the drive supports, visit http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?products_id=274

A similar (though slower in some aspects) slot-loading SuperDrive upgrade sells from OWC for about $10 more, but includes 10 blank DVD-R discs and some 3rd-party software, so FastMac's is competitively priced.

If you like the Mac you currently have (one with a slot-loading drive), but are coveting the burning capabilities of the latest models, consider jumping ahead of the pack with FastMac's 8x Slimline SuperDrive Upgrade.