New DVD Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim in T43/T43p

[csv96]

FYI the TABOOK lists the new T43/T43p as having a new DVD Multi-Burner Plus Ultrabay Slim Drive (73P3342) compared to the old DVD Multi-Burner Ultrabay Slim Drive (73P3294) in T42/T42p. The TABOOK lists the drive as DVD+/-RW (instead of just DVD-RW in the T42/T42p). And in the product announcements, it describes the drive as 4x max. Sounds like Panasonic has finally upgraded their 9.5mm drive.

[ehd]

hurray lets hope its cheaper

[MadeInJapan]

It was bound to happen sooner or later...if anyone finds out exactly what model drive it is, please post it here. WE ALL WANT TO KNOW!

[edelrc]

Hopefully not a Matshita one, but hopes not to high.
The region lock thing of all UJ-8XX models makes me ..., however, now that I´d got the t42p and i can´t afford a replacement.... i don´t care too much

[MadeInJapan]

Well, I've been doing some research and Matshita/Panasonic is the one who has put out the new 9.5mm multi-burner...it came out in Japan in September. The new UJ-822 will burn + and - discs as well as RAM but there is not any speed increase, exept the +R will be able to be burned at 2.4 speed. I doubt it will be able to be made Region Free. Check out the drive's picture and specs, but it is in Japanese: http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/news/2004/jn ... 40908.html

I've been over on the Sony Viao board today and this drive is already available for some of their computers from Sony as an upgrade, but at a price of just under $420, not including shipping. There is no picture, or even description on the "Sony Direct Accessories" site. Anyway, go there (http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/productSearch.do) and put in this part number on the right side of the page and search as part number: 179705711

Strange that the TABOOK mentiones a 4X drive. I haven't found any reference to this in any of the Japanese sites/materials yet. Maybe Panasonic/Matshita is still working on this one and it hasn't been unvieled yet.