[P Carn]

What is the most common connection type for Laptop DVD Drives - IDE or EIDE? I am buying USB enclosures for them, apparently I need to choose which.

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What make and model is your laptop. Then we can find the correct type for you.

[rshaffer61]

What make and model is your laptop. Then we can find the correct type for you.

[P Carn]

I have bought some varied drives on eBay, but I don't have any yet. Is either type more common?

[rshaffer61]

It will depend on the model
IDE is older technology and uses a 40 pin ribbon
EIDE is newer and uses a 80 pin ribbon.
SATA is the newest and doesn't use a ribbon but a cable.
Without knowing the exxact model it is impossible to tell.

[P Carn]

I was under the impression that most laptop DVD drives had a 50-pin connector.

[rshaffer61]

50 pin is SCSI which stands for
Small
Computer
System
Interface
It's a entire different type of connection then IDE or EIDE or SATA

[P Carn]

The enclosures that say IDE also say
Fits all 50-Pin laptop drives(CDROM,CDRW, CD COMBO, DVDROM, DVDRW +/-)

I think that that is what I need for my drives. From what I've found looking online, they say all slim laptop optical drives use a 50-pin connector.

[rshaffer61]

I can't tell you for sure. I have asked for the make and model of the laptop to pull up the specs.

[P Carn]

Thank you, but I do not have any drives yet, that's why I have not given you any make or model.

[rshaffer61]

I'm asking about your laptop.
The laptop dictates what kind of drive. If you have no dvd drive in the laptop then it won't matter what the connection is for the external. You will just have to figure out which way you want to connect it to the laptop either via a USB or ESATA cable.
If the dvd drive is going to be used only as a external drive then go with whatever you can afford. If speed is a factor then use SATA for the dvd drive. You can then buy any regular dvd drive.

Edited by rshaffer61, 31 January 2010 - 06:38 PM.

[P Carn]

I am making these drives for students at my school, and our laptops do not have any DVD Drives. I will connect them via USB.

[rshaffer61]

Then the connection issue is not a factor. Any dvd drive including a reg desktop dvd drive will work. You would only have to decide the connection to the laptop. If using usb then that is all you need.
Take a look at these HERE and find one with a USB connector to system.