Slot-load vs. Tray-load DVD drives?

Are there any advantages of one over the other? I notice on a new HP model that a Slot-load drive is a $10 upgrade, but is it lighter, less noisy or easier on current draw?

 

slot is louder, but sexy

tray is quieter, but ugly

 

Oh. Is there a weight difference?

 

Tray is probably as loud as slot. All notebook drives are loud due to its compact size.

 

I was hoping that they were lighter and used less power or something, good for a 13" notebook. Wishful thinking......

 

didnt we just have this topic like yesterday?

anyways.
Tray load drive are made of win and happiness

 

I guess I'm having one of those senior member moments.

 

I dont like slot loading drives. I dont want a gaping hole on the side of my laptop. I dont see the hassle in opening the drive for 5 seconds to put a disc in.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=340823&page=3&highlight=slot

 

It's the load / eject mechanism of the slot loaders which makes the noticeable noise. Read / write noise is much the same for both types.

Few slot loaders support 8cm discs since they create an extra challenge for the feed / eject mechanism.

I used a slot loader last year but have now reverted to a tray loader. It's mechanically simpler and less likely to cause problems.

John

 

Thanks guys. I guess I'll stay with the tray-loaders, as I've never really had any problems with one.

 

I have a feeling that slot drive is more likely to cause your brand new disc to scratch as it has to grab and pick the disc by the machine. While with the tray loader, nothing touches the surface of the disc except the very center.

 

Tray drives also are much simpler to replace.

 

I find trays very flimsy personally. I've always had the fear that I'll manage to snap the tray right off inserting a CD, as you have to push it in a bit hard. Unless I've been putting CDs on laptop trays wrong for years?

 

Why not hold the edge of the tray while you're putting the disc in so that the pressure is in the center of the tray instead of at the point where the tray extends from the chassis (see what I'm getting at? Since it's kinda hard to explain.)

 

You could summarise both threads with this statement about tray loading drives:

 

Slot drives are better for portability, so you dont snap the tray when changing discs.

Oh and its harder to get a disc out from a slot drive than a tray drive if it gets stuck..

 

Yeah my Asus N50vn uses a tray-loading Bluray player. And i wish it was a slot loading version like Dell use. On a desktop i don't have an issue with tray loadings devices, but on a notebook sometimes having an extra 4+ inches for the tray to open is not convenenant, and it's worse if you on a bed or something, because closing the tray always catches the sheets or something when closing. Not to mention accidentally pressing the button when picking up the notebook in the first place....

Sorry for rant, but the slot loadings versions have recently become much more attractive to myself.

 

I like tray loading, because computer-illiterate folks are less likely to jam discs in when there's already a disc in the drive

 

I was thinking about it for my aunt, and you gave a very good reason why slot-load is probably not the best for her.

 

But if your clumsy, say goodbye to your tray.

Slot loading discs dont really jam up like that, you cant insert a disc if theres already one in there.

 

You've never met my aunt apparently. Two years with her current notebook and she still can't remember where to stick her camera's memory card.