Slot Loading Vs Tray Loading
Optical Drive Loading Mechanism [tray vs slot] | |
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| ZiNgA BuRgA Smart Alternative Posts: 17,012.3309 Threads: 1,174 Joined: 19th Jan 2007 Reputation: -1.71391 E-Pigs: 444.9278 |
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| 24/06/2010 09:33 PM |
Slot loaders aren't that hard to understand, and are as simple to dismantle/repair as a tray loader once you know how. I don't really have a favourite, maybe tray loaders are easier to stealth, but I like the fact I don't have a huge tray poking out and risking getting cables/desks/discs being eaten by it at lans. Nov 16, 2009 This is because Apple uses a slot-loading drive on all Macs. My personal preference is Tray-Loading because my try-loading drive can read 80 mm discs and if there is a power outage, I can retrieve my disc without having any trouble and put it to use in my laptop.
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| 24/06/2010 09:52 PM |
| Mickey Down with MJ yo Posts: 3,661.1291 Threads: 251 Joined: 26th Apr 2008 E-Pigs: 28.7015 |
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| 24/06/2010 10:28 PM |
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| 25/06/2010 01:48 AM |
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iMac G3 Q&A - Updated February 23, 2009
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Is the CPU on the iMac G3 upgradable? How is it mounted? Are third-party processor upgrades available?
Unfortunately, the CPU on the iMac G3 is not mounted on a ZIF socket like the models in the Power Macintosh G3 series. The tray-loading iMac G3 models -- those with 233 MHz, 266 MHz, and 333 MHz processors -- have the processor soldered to a processor daughtercard, and the slot-loading iMac G3 models -- those with 350 MHz and faster processors -- have the processor soldered directly to the motherboard.
The processor daughtercard in the tray-loading iMac G3 models also contains the ROM. Consequently, the only feasible way to upgrade the processor in these models is to replace the original processor daughtercard with a processor daughtercard that contains both a faster processor and an original ROM. To upgrade the processor in the slot-loading models requires one to replace the entire motherboard with a motherboard equipped with a faster processor.
A number of processor upgrade card companies -- FastMac, Newer Technology, PowerLogix, and Sonnet -- released upgrade cards for the tray-loading iMac G3 models that essentially were original iMac G3 daughtercards with the original processor removed and a faster one soldered in its place. Sonnet, perhaps most interestingly, also added a handy Firewire '400' port to their upgrade cards.
Specs on these upgrade cards for the tray-loading iMac G3 models -- all long ago discontinued -- are listed on the 'By Compatible System - iMac G3' page of the archived 'Pre-Intel Upgrade Cards' section of EveryMac.com, but also are referenced below for your convenience:
Upgrade Card | Processor |
466 MHz PowerPC 7400 (G4) | |
466 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) | |
433 MHz PowerPC 7400 (G4) | |
400 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) | |
500 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) | |
400 MHz PowerPC 7400 (G4) | |
450 MHz PowerPC 7400 (G4) | |
500 MHz PowerPC 7400 (G4) | |
500 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) | |
600 MHz PowerPC 750cx (G3) |
Although it required swapping the entire motherboard, FastMac also offered an 'upgrade card' for the slot-loading models with 350 MHz, 400 MHz, 450 MHz, and 500 MHz processors (except the 'Early 2001' Flower Power/Blue Dalmation systems and presumably the later 'Summer 2001' systems as well).
Given the other limitations of the tray-loading iMac G3 models, it does not make financial sense to invest much in a upgrade card. However, if you locate an extremely cheap iMac G3 upgrade card and you like to tinker with old Macs, you probably would enjoy the experience.
Alternately, a motherboard swap for the slot-loading models makes even less financial sense, but if you don't mind the risk of killing a slot-loading iMac G3 entirely, and you have a lot of hardware experience, overclocking it is an option.
Tray Loading Machines
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Tray Loading Cd Vs Slot Loading Cd
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