XPS M1530 slot load drive a bit 'rough' compared to iMac?

I like the slot load drive, I wouldn't want to go back to the traditional ones. However I've always thought it was a bit rough in the sense that you have to kind of force it in and it makes a lot of noise. Also when you eject it, it kind of 'spits' it out.

I was at uni and was using a 20" iMac and for the first time needed to use a disc. I was amazed at how silky SMOOTH it was when I put the disc in. It was so soft and it also didn't make noise. Same goes for when I ejected.

Do the macbooks have the same 'soft' slot load drives? What about newer Dell laptops like studio and studio xps?

Is it possible to get these softer ones to replace the ones in the XPS M1530?

 

If you are able to find out the model of the drive in the iMac, you can check it's compatibility with your laptop.

One site suggests that the drive could be a Panasonic UJ-846; it is a PATA drive, and the M1530 can have the AD-7640A drive which is also a PATA drive. So, information so far says that that drive will probably fit, but it might not be the same one that you experienced, and it might not fit.

 

I can confirm that the Studio XPS models also take a bit of force in order to insert a disc. The first time I actualy thought I was going to break it!

 

Inserting the disc on mine is fine. During loading and ejecting it does make a little noise. Macs are a bit more refined.

 

Well it's just that you can literally feel that the drive is very mechanical when you insert and eject. The iMac didn't need any force. It just sucked it in silky smooth. The Wii also has a nice slot load drive.