Can i get an external disk drive for my MacBook 5,1

My disk drive on my MacBook 5,1 (model #A1278) is bust. It will not accept a dvd/cd at all, it won't let it in...not an inch!  seems like it's stuck in eject? as if there is a disk inside but as far as i know there is not.  Nothing i have tried makes any difference.  So i am wondering if i can buy an external disk drive, but this info is not obvious to me on the Apple Store website!

Probably pretty much any one would as long as it can be connected to your Macbook with USB or Firewire or what it has.  Read the fine print when it refers to system requirements.  In most cases that refers to bundled software which you probably don't need.  Usually if there's OS limits for Macs it's something like you must be running OSX 10.2 or newer.
I would start looking on a site such as www.mac-sales.com which caters for Mac users so you can be assured their stuff is compatible.  You can get something pre-assembled or you can buy an enclosure and a drive separately and assemble them yourself.  My preference would be for one where the drive is powered independently, though that does tie you down to an outlet.  On the other hand with an external drive you're not going to be walking around the room.
I guess one Mac compatibiltiy issue would be if the drive is bootable.  Not all third party drives can boot your Mac should the need arise.  I'm not so familiar with Macbooks that I am up to date on this and this might be one thing you could ask the vendor (and a reason for going with a vendor who knows Macs).

Similar Messages

  • Can i get a bigger Hard drive for my Macbook? :)

    Hey everybody!
    Whats the biggest size hard drive i can get for my macbook
    is it an easy to do, or a real pain
    Does it void the macbook warrenty?
    Will it slow my machine
    Any recomendations
    Thanks so much

    macyyyyyyy wrote:
    Whats the biggest size hard drive i can get for my macbook
    There is a new 500 GB drive out but it is hard to find. I put this 320 GB drive in mine.
    Western Digital Scorpio WD3200BEVT 320GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
    is it an easy to do, or a real pain
    Yes it is easy. These are very good instructions on How to Upgrade Your MacBook's Hard Drive.
    Creative Mac: Swapping Hard Drives on the 13-Inch MacBook
    Here is the Apple Apples DIY hard drive replacement instructions.
    The only step they left out is the need for a number 8 *Torx Driver* to swap a shield from the old drive to the new.
    Does it void the macbook warrenty?
    No it does not unless you mess it up. See this for details.
    Apples DIY Warranty Info
    Will it slow my machine
    Mine is faster with the new drive.
    Any recomendations
    OWC MacBook Ram and Hard drives is a good source. Be sure the drive meets the following size specs.
    English
    Height: 0.374 ±0.008 inch
    Length: 3.94 ±0.010 inch
    Width: 2.75 ±0.010 inch
    Weight: 0.26 Pounds (±0.10 lb)
    Metric
    Height: 9.5 ±0.20 mm
    Length: 100.2 ±0.25 mm
    Width: 69.85 ±0.25 mm
    Weight: 0.117 kg (± 0.082 kg)
    >

  • Where can I buy and external hard drive for my MacBook Pro?

    anybody out there?

    I would first determine which is the fastest port on your machine (Firewire, USB, even Thunderbolt - if you want to spend that kind of money) and look at the drives at OWC and on Amazon. I would stay away from Western Digital drives - they just have a nasty track record with Macs for some reason.
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    Clinton

  • Where can I buy an external floppy disk drive for my Macbook?

    where can I buy an external floppy disk drive for my Macbook?

    You can find them on eBay http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=usb+floppy+drive&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksi d=p2045573.m570.l1311.R1.TR2.TRC1.A0.Xusb+floppy+drive+for+mac&_nkw=usb+floppy+d rive+mac&_sacat=0

  • Can I use my 160gb iPod classic as an external hard drive for my MacBook?

    Can I use my 160gb iPod classic as an external hard drive for my MacBook?

    That link seems to be broken.  It does normally lead to a solution. For the time being go to
    http://www.google.com/search?q=ipod+classic+disk+mode
    Let your mouse hover over the link until you see the option appear on the right to view the cached version Google contains:
    Putting iPod devices with a Click Wheel into Disk Mode
    If necessary, verify that your iPod has a Click Wheel.
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    If you have an older iPod model, without a Click Wheel
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    Toggle the Hold switch on and off (set it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
    Press and hold the Play/Pause and Menu buttons until the Apple/iPod logo appears, then release them. This resets iPod. When you reset iPod, all your music and data files are saved, but some customized settings may be lost.
    When the Apple logo appears, immediately press and hold the Previous and Next buttons until the Disk Mode screen appears.
    Connect the iPod to your computer; the screen on the iPod should say "Do not disconnect".
    If you have an iPod nano (6th generation)
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  • How can I use my external hard drive for my iphoto instead of my mac book pro memory?

    i don't know if this question has been asked before: how can I use my external hard drive for my iphoto instead of my mac book pro memory? just like itunes all my song are save on my external hard drive. make sense?

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  • Can anyone make a recommendation on the purchase of an external hard drive for my Macbook Pro? I am currently using OS 10.6.8 because I can't upgrade until I clean out my start up disc space. I have a ton of pictures to transfer. Thanks!

    Can anyone make a recommendation on the purchase of an external hard drive for my Macbook Pro? I am currently using OS 10.6.8 because I can't upgrade until I clean out my start up disc space. I have a ton of pictures to transfer.Thanks!

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    Perfect 1TB for $68
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    Nice 500gig for $50. ultraslim perfect for use with a notebook
    http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Canvio-Portable-External-Drive/dp/B009F1CXI2/ref=s r_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377642728&sr=1-1&keywords=toshiba+slim+500gb
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    Hitachi is the winner in hard drive reliability survey:
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  • Can I use my external hard drive for additional storage on my ipad?

    can I use my external hard drive for additional storage on my ipad

    With the Camera Connection Kit you can input data from an external USB device to the iPad, but you cannot write from the iPad to the connected drive.

  • I need to buy an external hard drive for my MacBook Air as it is almost full. Which one should I buy?

    Do I need to buy an Apple external Hard Drive for my MacBook Air?

    There is no such thing as an Apple hard drive, ...Apples doesnt make same.
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    Most storage experts agree on the Hitachi 2.5"
    Hitachi is the winner in hard drive reliability survey:
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  • Where can I get an additional power source for my MacBook Pro?

    I am travelling to Europe next week and will be travelling on the road quite often. I would like to get some work done during that time. My laptop battery will inevitably run out of power during that time and I would like to carry an additional power source with me so I can get some extra juice when I am nowhere near an outlet.
    I have the latest MacBook Pro where the battery is not removable.
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    you could get something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-XP18000-Universal-External-Netbooks/dp/B002K8M9H C
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  • I am trying to install windows 7 on my macbook pro 13", when i run bootcamp it tells me that there is not a windows support software available for my computer. Where can i get the windows support software for my macbook?

    I am trying to install windows 7 on my macbook pro 13", when i run bootcamp it tells me that there is not a windows support software available for my computer. Where can i get the windows support software for my macbook?

    Apple only supports Windows on certain hardware.
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  • Can i get a bigger Hard drive in my Macbook? :)

    Hey everybody, a few questions for your guys. Thanks
    Can i get a larger hard drive in my macbook
    whats the largest size
    Does it void the warranty
    were can you buy them from
    and is it easy install
    Thanks guys

    Here is a Do-it-yourself guide.
    You also might consider maxing out your RAM since you plan on opening up the machine anyway. (Depends on which model you have, the older CoreDuo can use 2GB max, later Core2Duo models can use either 3GB or 4GB, depending on model.)
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  • What is the best External Hard Drive for a Macbook Leopard 10.5.8?  I need more memory for documents, pictures, videos, and music.  Thanks!

    What is the best External Hard Drive for a Macbook Leopard 10.5.8?  I need more memory for documents, pictures, videos, and music.  Thanks!

    Hi, does your MacBook have Firewire, or just USB?
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  • How can I use one external hard drive for both Time Machine and iPhoto Library?

    I have been using a 1 TG LaCie external hard drive for Time Machine backups.  My (older) Mac has 160 GB and is almost full.  I would like to move my iPhoto Library to the external hard drive, but I've heard Time Machine doesn't share one space well.  Should I
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    You are getting incorrect information from your ASP. If you look at drive specifications the heat generated is no different for high vs low capacity drives.
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