Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

bluefiberoptics

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 23, 2005
160
3
I was wondering why Apple has not offered DVD Writers that go up to 16X in its iMacs. Anyone that keeps up with this know the reason? Does it have something to do with the limitation of slot drives?
 
What model drive is it? It may be able to burn higher.

My superdrive had low burn speeds even though Pioneer specs were higher. I think Apple may be purposely limiting the speed in an effort to reduce bad burns.

I upgraded my superdrive firmware with the latest available from Pioneer and the max burn speeds increased. Right off the top of my head I can't quote you what I running but it did increase. This probably voids the Apple warranty, not sure though.

CAUTION:
If you reflash your firmware be absolutely sure you find the correct firmware for your drive and follow the directions exactly. If not you may brick your burner.
 
Well according to the Apple store, the new iMac line only goes up to 8X when burning DVDs. Seems low for such an elegant computer.
 
I was wondering why Apple has not offered DVD Writers that go up to 16X in its iMacs. Anyone that keeps up with this know the reason? Does it have something to do with the limitation of slot drives?
There are limitations to slim drives. Mostly to do with the ability to spin the disc at high speeds and stabilization.
 
There are limitations to slim drives. Mostly to do with the ability to spin the disc at high speeds and stabilization.

Ah, thanks for the answer Eidorian. Do you think there is a chance Apple will have 16X in the future? How far behind are thin drives usually?
 
Ah, thanks for the answer Eidorian. Do you think there is a chance Apple will have 16X in the future? How far behind are thin drives usually?
Laptop drives have been stuck at 8x single layer for sometime now. I only expect to see speeds increase for dual layer writing to the 8x maximum as well.

I strongly suggest getting an external drive. 18-20x can be reached easily using a FireWire drive. I have an enclosure just for this kind of thing.
 
A little off-topic....

Are there any external DVD writers in enclosures that are Mac Mini "compatible"?

There are plenty of external hard drive enclosures that match the Mini's look, but I haven't found any external DVD enclosures that would be suitable for stacking under a Mac Mini.

Anyone who can point me in a direction to go?

TIM
 
A little off-topic....

Are there any external DVD writers in enclosures that are Mac Mini "compatible"?

There are plenty of external hard drive enclosures that match the Mini's look, but I haven't found any external DVD enclosures that would be suitable for stacking under a Mac Mini.

Anyone who can point me in a direction to go?

TIM
The 5.25" drives themselves are larger then the mini itself.
 
This is truly my only complaint about my new 24" iMac... the optical drive is just... SLOW. I don't do much writing of discs at all, what I do more of is ripping DVD's... and it's just *UG* slow.

Unfortunately getting an external drive kind of defeats the purpose of the iMac.. .less clutter, less wires, etc...

At this point, the only solution seems to be to pick up an external burner... they are very fast... 16x read for dvd rip, 18x write DVD+/-R etc... just messes up my minimalist mojo... :rolleyes:
 
This is truly my only complaint about my new 24" iMac... the optical drive is just... SLOW. I don't do much writing of discs at all, what I do more of is ripping DVD's... and it's just *UG* slow.

Unfortunately getting an external drive kind of defeats the purpose of the iMac.. .less clutter, less wires, etc...

At this point, the only solution seems to be to pick up an external burner... they are very fast... 16x read for dvd rip, 18x write DVD+/-R etc... just messes up my minimalist mojo... :rolleyes:
Sad but true.
 
The BIG PICTURE is that Apple obviously sees the DVD Burner as a dying medium. Flash drives , BIG hard drives, external drives and the such have really made DVD burners much less used. Honestly? I think youll see burners on computers for some time to come in the form of Blu ray and HD DVD, but the truth is these will go the way of the floppy drive at some point. You dig?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.