Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom.reviews Path: cdrom.com!barrnet.net!parc!biosci!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!nott!nbkanata!newshost.newbridge.com!gkam From: gkam@Newbridge.COM (Gregory Kam) Subject: Re: Anyone using 3X Drives? Message-ID: Sender: usenet@Newbridge.COM Organization: Newbridge Networks Corporation References: <2taktk$16k@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu> Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 21:58:46 GMT Lines: 42 In article <2taktk$16k@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu>, Vernon R Imrich wrote: >I'm in the market for "multimedia kits" and have seen some >ads for 3X (triple speed) CD-ROMs. However, since I've never >even used a 2X, I have no idea what kind of advantage the >new 3X is. Usually, when buying new electronics, "new" things >become "a must" in only a short time. (I don't of any 1X >CD-ROM's even selling anymore). Any experience out there? > >P.S. NEC's 3X ad is awesome. (It's an incredible photo of a >woman's face with the words, "don't lie to me." It is a face >that you absolutely cannot turn down!) > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- >| Vernon Imrich | market failure, n. The inabilty of the | From what I read (I think it was in PC Magazine in their 'world of CD-ROM' issue), it said that the 3xi/e by NEC was only 2.5 times faster -- and that was only in *burst* mode. Usual data transfer in seek mode was *slower* than some other double speed drives (If my data was misinterpreted, someone please correct me). Anyway, this just supported my suspicions that since NEC was the only company with a triple-spin (and the first with a quad, I believe) then it might be only a 'half-baked' product. And judging from the posts I've read in this newsgroup, it seems that there are a few compatibility hassles as well. Personally, I stuck with a sturdy double-spin, that is, until they 'perfect' the triple or quad. And generally speaking, when looking at multimedia packages, spend some time and shop around. Usually, the package is only a good deal if you were planning on buying all those games anyway. Greg -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ATM Hardware Group Newbridge Networks Corp. Opinions expressed do not reflect those of Newbridge Networks Corporation