From: HK.MLR@forsythe.stanford.edu (Mark Rogowsky) Subject: Re: CD300 & 300i Organization: Stanford University Lines: 45 Distribution: usa NNTP-Posting-Host: morrow.stanford.edu In article <1ps8d7INNrc0@srvr1.engin.umich.edu>, chyang@leghorn.engin.umich.edu (Chung Hsiung Yang) writes: > >In article , bauer@informatik.uni-ulm.de (Christian Bauer) writes: >> In article , "Donpaul C. Stephens" >> wrote: >> > >> > What is the difference? >> > I want a double-spin CD-ROM drive by May >> > >> > looking into NEC and Apple, doublespins only >> > what is the best? >> >> Nec Toshiba and Sony (Apple) nearly deliver the same speed. >> As apples prices are very low (compared to there RAM SIMMS) >> You should buy what is inexpencive. But think of Driver revisions. >> It is easier to get driver kits from Apple than from every other >> manufacturer >> >> Christian Bauer >> >> bauer@informatik.uni-ulm.de > > > I thought NEC and Toshiba CD-ROM mechanism have an average >access time of less than 200 ms. While the SONY-APPLE CD-ROM >drive has an access time of 300 ms for the doublespin models. > >- Chung Yang > The Toshiba has a 200ms access time, the NEC has a 280ms access time, right around the Sony/Apple. Access time is, of course, somewhat important, but not as vital in the case of CDs as data transfer rate. All the drives are double-speed drives with maximum data transfer rates of 300K/second. Any is a good choice. Apple's is very cheap when included with new Macs and I agree with Christian's comment about drivers. Plus, Apple's is bootable on the Centris and Quadra 800. A very nice feature if you need to install System software. I don't know if the NEC or Toshiba are bootable on those machines. Mark