This is the first time I've actually heard of an actual difference between the OEM and boxed product.Either will do. Both are excellent drive manufacturers! If you want the drive to last a little longer and perform a little more stably then get the boxed version and NOT the OEM version!
Yesterday I purchased a replacement DVD drive for my 2006 (with x5355 procs) and the salesman (store manager) had sample drives of an OEM and a boxed version of pioneer A16 open and partially disassembled. When I asked what the differences actually were pointed them out to me and talked about the problems related to the OEM ones. Basically the boxed version has dust seals, few critical parts are made of a different (better) material, and undergo precision balancing at the factory. He suggested that these differences are the main factors in a drive that typically dies in 6 to 18 months as opposed to one that will operate for 2 or 3 years.
From what I saw in his little demonstration I believe it too! And just to show me that he wasn't BSing for the extra $10 he gave me the boxed one at the OEM price.
The drive I got was the pioneer DVR-A16J-SV in a box for $52.
He said that the number one high quality drive was this one in boxed version, number 2 was this drive in OEM version and #3 was some Sony he had sitting there. I asked about Samsung drives specifically and he shrugged and said it's a Korean product but I might get lucky anyway.
Usually, it's just a difference in packaging and warranty support. Out of all the drives I'm running, only one was boxed (Velociraptor), and I only because it was cheaper than an OEM at the time. It didn't even have a cable.
This is the first time I've actually heard of an actual difference between the OEM and boxed product.
Nice of the guy to show you, and even better, to give you the Boxed version for the OEM price.
". She punched some buttons and I got it for $20.00 even! If this were the case with HDD's, I'd be in deep....
Damn!Must be nice.That's what I love about shopping in the shops! On the net there's no one to haggle with. At the shops I can just about always haggle them down to the cheapest net price and sometimes lower. In this case he offered to complete the point he was making but even at mega-stores I just about always get price reductions. A few weeks ago I got a 32gig thumb drive. It was like $29,95 or something and I brought it up to the register and said: "Hey beautiful lady, discount this for me." She said: "Is $25.00 OK?" to which I replied: "you're so cute so I know you can do better than that.
I wish that were the case here. Only there isn't any shop that bothers to carry any stock. I would have thought it more with just Pioneer myself.Yeah I think this quality thing is CD/DVD players only and may only be true with Pioneer - though he did imply it was a general DVDR truth. I just kicked myself over those HD154UI drives I just bought for $98 or $97 or whatever. While getting this DVD writer I saw then for $70 each at Tsukumo.
So you've go nothing to complain about! Somehow, I think by the time they're ~$100USD in the US, you'd be able to pick them up for just over pocket change. And even the situation here is probably better than the UK. Wait what seems like forever, and pay a fortune.
Must be nice.
NYC and a few places left in California are all that I'm aware of, and not what they used to be. Most have gone under.
The closest to me I'm aware of, is Provantage in North Canton, Ohio. Not exactly local, and quite a drive. Definitely not worth the trip. ARGH... You're making me jealous.
Either will do. Both are excellent drive manufacturers! If you want the drive to last a little longer and perform a little more stably then get the boxed version and NOT the OEM version!
Yesterday I purchased a replacement DVD drive for my 2006 (with x5355 procs) and the salesman (store manager) had sample drives of an OEM and a boxed version of pioneer A16 open and partially disassembled. When I asked what the differences actually were pointed them out to me and talked about the problems related to the OEM ones. Basically the boxed version has dust seals, few critical parts are made of a different (better) material, and undergo precision balancing at the factory. He suggested that these differences are the main factors in a drive that typically dies in 6 to 18 months as opposed to one that will operate for 2 or 3 years.
From what I saw in his little demonstration I believe it too! And just to show me that he wasn't BSing for the extra $10 he gave me the boxed one at the OEM price.
The drive I got was the pioneer DVR-A16J-SV in a box for $52.
He said that the number one high quality drive was this one in boxed version, number 2 was this drive in OEM version and #3 was some Sony he had sitting there. I asked about Samsung drives specifically and he shrugged and said it's a Korean product but I might get lucky anyway.
