New X301, but no Optical Drive. Options?

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demesne · #1 Post by **demesne** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:53 am

Just this past week I decided to take advantage of Lenovo's sale and picked up a new X301 with 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD for just under $1900 (Australian Dollars). The catch is, there's no DVD drive, as it was a $400 option which I just couldn't justify.

I do have a X3 Ultrabase with an optical drive, and I have noticed there are USB to Ultrabay adapters out there for a cheap solution, but they all seem to be for the Ultrabay devices from the T/X/R4x series, not the Ultrabay Plus/2000. Does anyone know if there are similar adapters for the older ultrabay devices, or some other solution to read/write DVDs?

mattbiernat · #2 Post by **mattbiernat** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:53 am

i did the same thing and bought x300 for USD$1150. i am simply going to buy external USB DVD drive.

Tommy the cat · #3 Post by **Tommy the cat** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:48 am

Which x301 are you referring to. And where are you going to buy it, if I may ask?

mattbiernat · #4 Post by **mattbiernat** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:11 am

i think he already bought it

Cunha · #5 Post by **Cunha** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:01 pm

You can get USB dvd burners for like 50 bucks. Newegg.com

They do everything the USB ultrabay drive does, just cheaper.

So pick the one that gets good reviews and buy it for 50 or so dollars. Nice purchase.

#6 Post by **archer6** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:33 pm

Cunha wrote:You can get USB dvd burners for like 50 bucks. Newegg.com

They do everything the USB ultrabay drive does, just cheaper.

So pick the one that gets good reviews and buy it for 50 or so dollars. Nice purchase.

This is exactly what I've done, and it's a great inexpensive solution. I so rarely require an optical drive that there is no reason to buy an expensive unit. Plus the irony of buying inexpensive from Newegg, is I actually got a very nicely built drive. Apricorn is the brand. I could not be happier.

demesne · #7 Post by **demesne** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:06 pm

Tommy the cat wrote:Which x301 are you referring to. And where are you going to buy it, if I may ask?

It's the 2777CTO, and I've already ordered it, straight off the Lenovo website. Says it would ship in 1-2 weeks, hopefully that's an accurate assessment!

demesne · #8 Post by **demesne** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:13 pm

archer6 wrote:
Cunha wrote:You can get USB dvd burners for like 50 bucks. Newegg.com

They do everything the USB ultrabay drive does, just cheaper.

So pick the one that gets good reviews and buy it for 50 or so dollars. Nice purchase.
This is exactly what I've done, and it's a great inexpensive solution. I so rarely require an optical drive that there is no reason to buy an expensive unit. Plus the irony of buying inexpensive from Newegg, is I actually got a very nicely built drive. Apricorn is the brand. I could not be happier.

Unfortunately we don't have newegg here in Australia, but I'm sure I can find a cheap USB DVD drive somewhere.

#9 Post by **archer6** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:24 am

demesne wrote:It's the 2777CTO, and I've already ordered it, straight off the Lenovo website. Says it would ship in 1-2 weeks, hopefully that's an accurate assessment!

Excellent Choice! Congratulations!
Having ordered many ThinkPad direct from the mfg I can say that the ship times are somewhat variable even after they quote you a certain time frame. If they have all the parts to build it, you should get it in the time quoted or even sooner. If however during the mfg process they run out of a certain component due to supplier issues then there may be a delay. Overall I have been very happy with their timing. So we will think positive that yours sails through the system and arrives quickly.

Cheers!~

New X301, but no Optical Drive. Options?

New X301, but no Optical Drive. Options?

Re: New X301, but no Optical Drive. Options?

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