Can the MacBook combo DVD RW drive rip DVDs, or just make DVDs like from iMovie?

Any optical drive that can read and play DVDs can rip them as well.

Yes, but combo drives cannot burn DVDs, as your question implies. If you want to burn DVDs on a MacBook, you need to purchase the $1299 model with the Super Drive.

that’s what I meant, the $1299 one.

@terryly: I refer you to Handbrake, http://handbrake.fr/—it rips DVDs, and it only requires an optical drive capable of reading DVDs.

I’ll have a try. Thanks for sharing, cwilbur.

Try Pavtube dvd ripper for mac

Handbrake is not a DVD rip program, it can’t handle protected discs. Handbrake is for video conversion only. You need rip software (Mac The Ripper for example) first to remove protection.