CompuServe Thread

Bit like a car..same thing…well almost..it dpends what you want to use it for and whether it matters if it is MPC compliant etc.. I personaly wouldnt want to buy a CD Rom drive with a Ave Access time greater than 350 milliseconds and a Data Transfer rate of 150KB (sustained)..so ask the seller if it meets that spec.. The other thing to consider is PHoto CD, and if you require a multisession drive.. Lastly price..there is a point when the price makes it a no go opportunity or what the heck.. Its your choice??? Stick with your intuition and a bit of advice and you wont go far wrong..hopefully!! Regards Paul

Ross, With the prices of new CD-ROM drives coming down every year, I would not seriously consider an older drive. Even though access time may be acceptable, certain features like Photo CD Multisession compatiblity are important and older drives cannot ususally be upgraded. There are many current systems like the Sony Desktop Library CDU31A-LL/N which are MPC and Photo CD Multisession compatible and include 4 CD-ROM discs for $469 MSRP. You can get information on this product by calling 800-352-7669. Good luck, Les

Ross, just as a couple of thoughts following those who have commented on purchasing an older cd-rom drive. I have one (a Magnavox CDD461 that has done me well) but I won't sell it now, even to my brother-in-law, because it just wouldn't be worth the *very* low price I would have to ask for it if I wanted to be fair. Keep in mind that a very good drive, the Mitsumi 5S, is generally available for about $200 U.S. It is guaranteed, MPC compliant, KODAK multisession, widely available and therefore easy to get help with etc. It seems to me that a fair price for even a very good, little used (but unwarranteed) drive should be based on that price and not what the used drive originally sold for. I would hesitate at spending more than $100 for a used drive these days especially since for $100 more I could get one with all the bells and whistles (including guarantee) with the single exception of double- or quadruple-spin. On the other hand is the consideration of the assistance you might get if you purchase from a friend. In that case it might well be worth a higher price. P.S. I don't sell drives (new or used, Mitsumi or any other make) so I'm not trying to urge you in one direction or another. Just hope this helps. Cheers!