CompuServe Messages

Lee, I have both a internal Toshiba 3401 and a external NEC CDR-74 (the CDR-84 is their internal model) hooked up to my machine. I can't say there is really much difference. The Toshiba has a faster access time (200ms compared to 280ms) and a faster transfer rate (330k/sec compared to 300k/sec). The NEC drives have a couple of versions floating around: The old CDR-74 is a SCSI-1 device that is single session (Photo CD) capable with a 64k cache. The new CDR-74-1 is a SCSI-2 device that is multi session capable with a 256K cache. The Toshiba 3401 has the same specifications as the CDR-74-1 excepts for its faster access times and higher transfer rate. The Toshiba is usually cheaper (but it can be hard to find). The NEC has a nice fold down spring loaded entry slot whereas the Toshiba has to be folded up by hand (nothing major but I like the NEC idea better). I don't really think you will see much difference in a NEC CDR-74-1 and a Toshiba 3401. I would personally take the Toshiba over a CDR-74 any day but if you get a good price on the CDR-74-1 its harder to choose. I presume you have the right CD ROM (although CorelSCSI which I use supports both). I started out with a NEC CDR-74 and decided to switch to a Toshiba 3401 for a second drive. I got a much better price on the Toshiba than I did for my original NEC drive and its faster as well. NEC makes good products and has a BBS as well as 1-800 technical support. If you need help sometimes this can be handy. I kind of rambled but let me know if you what more information. Jay Cahow Cahow Consulting