Thinkpads Forum

It seems like almost all notebook CD/DVD drive are the same shape and dimension. Many made by the same manufacturer, TEAC.

Is it possible to just swap the caddy/case/shell or (whatever you call it) from the drive?

I'd paired up DVD ROM drive from Toshiba to Gateway DVDRW and it's the same size not counting the caddy adapter.

Why didn't i just try it? Gateway doesn't belong to me. I just think it's possible. I will have a chance to try soon here but just wanna see if anyone has try it yet.

Generally speaking, as long as the drives are the same architecture and dimensions (9.5mm or 12mm, etc) and the lights and buttons on the front are in the same location, you can swap drive rails and face-plates and they will work.