MATSHITA SuperDrive fits its name (and why I won't buy an Apple again)

[makku]

Unfortunately, Pioneer has decided that they would not be making their own DVD drives anymore just a few days ago. They will still be selling Pioneer brands but it would be OEM product probably made by Matsushita.

 

[solvs]

Edit: Oh this sucks ass.

Yes it does. It sounds like a bad machine. Take it back.

 

[shadowmoses]

Take it back and demand a replacement, Its just bad luck I have never had problems with Matshita drives and I've had about 3 macs with them inside always burn and read fine.....

SHadoW

 

[Deepdale]

With respect to issues raised concerning sensitivity of Matsushita Superdrives, does anyone know if the same occasional problems occur to computers with just the combo drive installed (I'm assuming those are also manufactured by Matsushita for the MB lineup)?

 

[Eraserhead]

The Matshita DVD drive in my iMac G5 works fine, hell it has even read a disc on occassions that was so badly scratched that it crashed Windows Explorer when trying to get the files off it, mostly they worked fine on my Mac... Bad luck anyway I hope they can fix it for you

 

[jesusphreak]

With respect to issues raised concerning sensitivity of Matsushita Superdrives, does anyone know if the same occasional problems occur to computers with just the combo drive installed (I'm assuming those are also manufactured by Matsushita for the MB lineup)?

Yes I've also wondered if perhaps it was a SuperDrive-only issue.

 

[jesusphreak]

Well my mom was skeptical last night when I told her I had an issue with the trackpad, but I got her to mess with it today and she noticed that something is definitely wrong with it, too. She owns a PC laptop and it feels weird and compared to my previous MacBook it feels weird.

Its almost impossible to work right, as you'll be trying to click a link or whatnot and either the trackpad will not move the cursor far enough along or it will "jump" way past where you were wanting it to go.

And the "t" key definitely sticks. This unit is so much worse than the last one it isn't even funny.

At this point I'm debating whether to return it and get most of my money back (its retarded that they are going to charge me a restocking fee even though its their faulty hardware), or to take my chances and get another replacement.

I absolutely love the design and the functionality of my MacBook and OS X, but I don't want to deal with another faulty unit and I get the feeling that my DVDs and CDs will never work regardless.

 

[Applespider]

When you go back with this one, take a couple of the dodgy discs with you so that you can try them on any replacement while still in the store?

 

[Deepdale]

I don't want to deal with another faulty unit and I get the feeling that my DVDs and CDs will never work regardless.

Your feeling is easily understandable ... you begin to think you will be making multiple trips for servicing on a regular basis.

 

[jesusphreak]

So....

Scheduled an appointment with a Genius and went to the Mac store again today. He used to trackpad for about 5 seconds and immediately pronounced it DOA. They gave me a new MacBook (my 3rd), which I checked out in the store and it was without issue unlike the second.

While I was there, I checked out the system info on multiple laptops. All of them, whether MacBook Pro, MacBook (white), or MacBook (black), had the MATSHITA UJ-857 drives. The only computer that didn't have such a drive that didn't was an iMac which had a MATSHITA UJ-846 (and I don't suspect it would work any better being an earlier model).

I tried my DVD on one of the laptops and wouldn't read it properly, either. Tried it on my new MacBook while at the store and got the same results.

I didn't have a faulty unit, the problem basically came down to the fact that those slimline MATSHITA slotloaders are very sensitive to scratches. If I want to use an Apple its just something I'll have to deal with, as it doesn't appear they use any other kind of drive in the newer laptops/iMacs/Mac Minis.

Anyway, figure I'll get an external drive (though it sucks I have to fork over that money).

At this point, I'm tempted to return it because to add more RAM, get Windows on it, and add an external drive will cost over $500, and for that price (plus the refund on the MacBook) I could get a pretty nice Dell laptop with all that built in, though Dells obviously don't have the simplicty/elegance of Apple in either design or OS.

As I said earlier, I'm very happy with the service, still a little disappointed with these drives, though.

 

[haiggy]

AND WTF...while typing this post, when the "t" sticks, the cursor bounces to somewhere else on the post. What is the deal? This MacBook seems to have a ton of issues.

That would be your thumb hitting/tapping it while you type. Happens on my iBook G4 too.

 

[jesusphreak]

That would be your thumb hitting/tapping it while you type. Happens on my iBook G4 too.

That's not what the Mac Genius said, nor was it an issue I had with my previous MacBook.

 

[Keebler]

i think the apple is out to get you

That's not what the Mac Genius said, nor was it an issue I had with my previous MacBook.

hi jesusphreak,
i've been following your ordeal and feel for you. you mention needing an external hd, but these discs you are using, are they 'storebought' or dvd-rs? maybe it's the brand if it's the latter? if they are store bought, than that really sucks if those drives are that sensitive.

you have to decide if the long term issue is going to drive you nuts or if you should bite the bullet and return the laptop to get a pc laptop.

best of luck,
keebler

 

[crazzyeddie]

...
I didn't have a faulty unit, the problem basically came down to the fact that those slimline MATSHITA slotloaders are very sensitive to scratches. If I want to use an Apple its just something I'll have to deal with, as it doesn't appear they use any other kind of drive in the newer laptops/iMacs/Mac Minis.

Anyway, figure I'll get an external drive (though it sucks I have to fork over that money).

I wouldn't take that step, its pretty drastic. I would just burn copies of your media instead. Its a good idea to burn a copy of your media when you get it anyway so that you never ruin your original. I've been doing this for years. Sometimes s*** just happens to your disk, but since its a copy you can just make a new one and move on.

Before you buy a Dell, just realize that all the problems you've had so far are not OS X's fault, its the hardware being picky. You can't get OS X on a Dell, so give your Macbook a chance.

 

[jesusphreak]

hi jesusphreak,
i've been following your ordeal and feel for you. you mention needing an external hd, but these discs you are using, are they 'storebought' or dvd-rs? maybe it's the brand if it's the latter? if they are store bought, than that really sucks if those drives are that sensitive.

you have to decide if the long term issue is going to drive you nuts or if you should bite the bullet and return the laptop to get a pc laptop.

best of luck,
keebler

These are store-bought CDs and DVDs, and as I said before, I've never had any problems with them in any of my other household electronics. They really are that sensitive.

At this point my options are:

* return MacBook, get $1150 (due to $150 stocking fee)
* spend ~$1600 on a 12' Dell m1210 XPS with enough RAM, a drive that will work, and Windows, and this price would include a videocard so I'd actually be able to play some games on it if I so desired

or

* keep MacBook
* $170 for 2 gigs RAM
* $80 for external DVD drive
* $200 for Windows

Its an interesting mixup. The Apple has the better design and OS (by far), but the Dell will work with my CDs and such and it includes Windows Media Center so it would work well with my 360 if I got it (though Vista will include it by default in about half a year anyway).

I dunno. I'm optimistic about my Apple but these drive problems are a bit of a hindrance.

 

[jesusphreak]

I wouldn't take that step, its pretty drastic. I would just burn copies of your media instead. Its a good idea to burn a copy of your media when you get it anyway so that you never ruin your original. I've been doing this for years. Sometimes s*** just happens to your disk, but since its a copy you can just make a new one and move on.

This requires me to keep another computer around, which my MacBook was sort of gonna be a desktop replacement for me.

Before you buy a Dell, just realize that all the problems you've had so far are not OS X's fault, its the hardware being picky. You can't get OS X on a Dell, so give your Macbook a chance.

Yeah and I totally understand that. Even using my PC off and on while not using my MacBook makes me really miss a lot of OS X's features like Expose and just how easy it is to use.

In the end, I don't think spending $80 on an external optical drive will kill me, though as I said, its kind of a pain, and it will be frustrating in situations where I take my MacBook places and my friend's DVD or CD won't work in it due to some slight scratching.

 

[viperguy]

Phew jesus, after reading your whole thread I have a few things to discuss too

Well... Let's start. I never used a Mac in my whole life but I can't wait for the day I switch to one. I just hate windows.
While I can see you got a few hardware problems, having a windows might solve your problem. However, don't forget about how much you'll have to spend on anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewalls, etc etc etc... And still be afraid of getting some crappy worm or virus on your PC.
It really sucks if Macbooks and new Macs are using such bad dvd drive... but nothing is perfect hehe.
Do what you think it will be the best to you, thats what I think

 

[EricChunky]

The optical drives in Apple computers (at least portable) are completely junks.

I've got a macbook pro once, and the second day it won't boot because a flawless bradnew shinny blank dvd-r is in the SuperStupidDrive and won't either read or reject.

reset pmu, hold all possible buttons while boot up (f12, keypad, watever.) wont help, and all they can do is to crack open the computer and replace the entire SuperStupidDrive


brilliant. i then decided not to buy any apple software legally as their disc won't read well

 

[Sutekidane]

The optical drives in Apple computers (at least portable) are completely junks.

I've got a macbook pro once, and the second day it won't boot because a flawless bradnew shinny blank dvd-r is in the SuperStupidDrive and won't either read or reject.

reset pmu, hold all possible buttons while boot up (f12, keypad, watever.) wont help, and all they can do is to crack open the computer and replace the entire SuperStupidDrive


brilliant. i then decided not to buy any apple software legally as their disc won't read well

That's the most ignorant thing I've ever heard. First you say a brank new BLANK DVD-R will not work, and then you say that because of that you will not buy apple software legally? The two have no correlation what so ever. If it doesn't eject when you book up holding the mouse button down the whole time, then the drive is broken. if it is broken, than you're one of the very few unlucky ones. As far as the original poster is concerned, just return the macbook, then buy a Dell and move on with your life.

 

[jesusphreak]

What good disc-resurfacers are there that are relatively cheap? That's probably the best route to go for now.

I popped in my WoW disc with extremely minimal scratching, and the MacBook has troubles with that, too. So its DVDs, CDs, and data CDs. Arrg.