What is the fascination with slot DVD-ROM drives?

[DotheDamnTHing]

is there a difference between slot load and tray drives?
there seems to be some fascination with these particular type of drives? why?

 

[ponyo]

coolness factor.

 

[mdchesne]

a while ago, there were problems with the slot loaders, that's why you don't see that many nowadays. something about jamming. i do like the apple slot loaders though

 

[sharkeeper]

You can call it a slot machine?

And like a slot machine, they really don't pay money.

 

[dragonballgtz]

I remember with some of the so-called "slot loaders" users had to push the CD almost all of the way in before it went in by its self.

 

[charlietee]

I just had to have one of the Pioneer slot loaders...Sounds like a 747 taking off and you can take the media out of it and use it for a coffee warmer...Disk get hot...They look cool but unless they have made big improvments I will just have to pass.

I have been looking at the Plextor slot loader but still have not seen one in action as of yet.

 

[n yusef]

The slot loaders in Apples are pretty cool, but Pioneer and Plextors just don't seem as cool to me. I think it's because the Apple slot loaders are integrated into the case (they look like they are, even though they aren't physically) and the PC solt loaders look bad visually.

 

[BigToque]

I've got a Pioneer 104s slot loading DVD ROM and I love it

I think it's just cool.

 

[KamiXkaze]

Not much of a difference at all except that it can look really nice and that is all. I will say that apple's slot loader does look nice.


KxK

 

[Jeff7181]

I think the main advantage is that there's no tray that slides out for some moron to slam a chair into. On the other hand... slot loaders encourage people to put their fingers on the disc which will get them dirty and eventually they'll get scratched and whatnot.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: Naustica
e-penis factor.

Fixed.

Same reason people put windows on thier $600 special. The toyification of PCs continues.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Slot drives can be quite appropriate in some situations...

My soon-to-be-upgraded home theater A/V rack

The idea is I don't want any of my visitors to see right off the bat that there's a computer there on my A/V rack. It needed to look stealthy.

 

[shortylickens]

I cant think of any real advantages besides asthetics.

One real downside is you cant normally use mini-cd's or mini-dvd's.

When I illegally rip my GameCube discs and use the pirate funds to support my shark head-laser research I need.......... Oh Oh. I've said too much!!
Dammit! I wish I could go back and correct myself.

 

[sharkeeper]

Slot load can take mini discs - ROUND ones! DO NOT try those business card ones though or be prepared for a trip.

 

[DotheDamnTHing]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
I cant think of any real advantages besides asthetics.

One real downside is you cant normally use mini-cd's or mini-dvd's.

When I illegally rip my GameCube discs and use the pirate funds to support my shark head-laser research I need.......... Oh Oh. I've said too much!!
Dammit! I wish I could go back and correct myself.

lol

 

[Budman]

Slot load??? And lose my cup holder!! no way.

 

[Zepper]

One useful advantage is that when you stack two drives, slot-load on top, then neither will interfere with accessing a disk in the other. The rest is mostly the "coolness" factor. I had a Pioneer SCSI slot loader for a while and it worked just fine. And I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for reviews of the new Plexi slot loading burner...

.bh.

 

[Jeff7]

After I had a CD explode in a DVD drive (tray), I am not going to use a slot loader. Last thing I want is to have shards of plastic flying out of my computer at high speed, at eye level.

 

[Brazen]

I like using the slot loader over a tray loader. Also, floppies are slot load, Zip drives are slot load, flash card readers are slot load; so why the heck not have a slot load CD/DVD drive?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
After I had a CD explode in a DVD drive (tray), I am not going to use a slot loader. Last thing I want is to have shards of plastic flying out of my computer at high speed, at eye level.

hehe, that happened to me once! On a mac! Thing blew so load that, besides scaring the crap outta me and all who were next to me, security came flying in guns in hand thinking someone went postal! Funniest IT day in my life.

 

[hugekebab]

i love slot loaders, been searching hi and lo for a black one.

if anyone knows a black dvd rom slot loader pleaseeeeee lemme know cus im desperate for one, they look so much better.

 

[cubby1223]

Well, they're facinating & cool until you actually own one - then you make the right decision & never buy another again...

Maybe they've gotten better & don't break down as quickly anymore. But that doesn't matter, I've already wasted dollars on them, no reason to waste any more.

 

[Zepper]

And BTW, when in operation nothing can get in or out through the slot (at least on Pioneer SCSI DVD-ROM drive I had). There is a guard that comes up and blocks the slot. Mine was very reliable for me and is probably still in use by the fellow I sold it to.

.bh.

 

[Brazen]

I'm disappointed the slot loaders haven't caught on more. A slot load version of the NEC DL DVD Burner would be perfect.

 

[Nocturnal]

Plextor is releasing its 716 burner in a slot load version. It should be out soon.