Installing Macbook Air SuperDrive Optical Drive

How to replace the PATA 12.5mm optical drive in the Macbook Air SuperDrive.

  • Author: Alex Jansen
  • Time required: 15 to 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Add Note x

A simple guide to replacing the optical drive in the external optical drive sold by Apple for the Macbook Air. If your optical drive breaks, use this guide to replace it.

Tools
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Optical Drive  ¶ 

  • To open the SuperDrive we must remove the lower case.

  • The lower case is attached by 8 clips.

    • 6 along the sides

    • 2 on the back

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Insert a metal spudger down between the black lower case and the aluminum upper case.

  • Lightly pry back to gently lift the clip out of place, just far enough to disengage.

    • Don't lift to far, or the clip on opposite side of drive will be wedged in place.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Repeat Step 2 for each of the 8 clips.

  • Continue until all of the clips have been disengaged and the lower case is free.

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