Laptops suck for DVDs

[nervmeister]

Am I the only one who thinks so? Because unlike a Desktop, when a laptop's DVD-ROM is opened, it's reading lens is perfectly exposed to the outside world and thus exposed to particles that could easily obscure it and increase the probability of DVD skipping and jamming.

[The Humanist Hero]

I haven't had any problems with mine so far.

[Michael P]

Mine works aiight.

[BlairH]

I think the problem is that it isn't an Alienware.
http://file003.bebo.com/large/2006/01/06/22/11330704a170993409b478701934l.jpg
http://file003.bebo.com/large/2006/01/06/22/11330704a170993323b167361192l.jpg

[nervmeister]

Well be thankful for that, cause my Dell Inspiron 8200 is a total bitch to my DVDs, even when I first brought it home. I have to routinely use eyeglass cleaner to ensure that it functions properly.

[BlairH]

Well be thankful for that, cause my Dell Inspiron 8200 is a total bitch to my DVDs, even when I first brought it home. I have to routinely use eyeglass cleaner to ensure that it functions properly.

Hmmm. My wee cousin has one. Perhaps it's a software thing? Latest graphic drivers and codecs? If that doesn't solve the issue, maybe the laser is actually misaligned (contact tech support)

PS: I wouldn't use eyeglass cleaner.

[nervmeister]

PS: I wouldn't use eyeglass cleaner.Why not exactly?

[Tadhg Adams]

You could get an Apple laptop and have a slotloading drive.

[nervmeister]

You could get an Apple laptop and have a slotloading drive.In other words the laser lens stays inside the laptop, right?

[Tadhg Adams]

In other words the laser lens stays inside the laptop, right?

Correct. No tray of any kind to come out

[nervmeister]

Correct. No tray of any kind to come outDo PCs have that same capability?

[BlairH]

Correct. No tray of any kind to come out
But then you don't get the satisfying "click" sound of thumbing home -with authority- a DVD into the drive. Instead you get a depressing "zaaaaaaah".

[Pepsigirl]

I think the problem is that it isn't an Alienware.
http://file003.bebo.com/large/2006/01/06/22/11330704a170993409b478701934l.jpg
http://file003.bebo.com/large/2006/01/06/22/11330704a170993323b167361192l.jpg

You bought an Alienware? Wow, that really surprises me. I always thought Alienware's were overpriced PCs for n00bs who think buying them will make them teh l337.

You're not a n00b, are you Blair?

[nervmeister]

But then you don't get the satisfying "click" sound of thumbing home -with authority- a DVD into the drive. Instead you get a depressing "zaaaaaaah".That's nice. Now about that "eyeglass cleaner" issue. What's so risky about using it on the lens?

[Gaz]

You bought an Alienware? Wow, that really surprises me. I always thought Alienware's were overpriced PCs for n00bs who think buying them will make them teh l337.

You're not a n00b, are you Blair?
He's been wearing an Alienware billboard on his back to class the last few days, so yes, yes he is. :D

[BlairH]

You bought an Alienware? Wow, that really surprises me. I always thought Alienware's were overpriced PCs for n00bs who think buying them will make them teh l337.

You're not a n00b, are you Blair?

Not at all! It's the best laptop I've owned. Mainly because it makes me feel leet (DARN!)

I built my other PC myself (see attachment) as I realise Alienware desktops are overpriced. However, when I decided that I needed a new laptop, I decided upon an Alienware mainly due to the fact that it's a "mobile desktop" (desktop processor, uber video card etc) rather than a "laptop". The only real alternative was a Dell XPS gaming notebook(and those are crap looking in my opinion)

I'm actually surprised that Quake4 runs as well on my laptop as it does on my desktop! (a constant 70 frames per second with everything up at full)

As for a lens cleaner: Use one of those CD lens cleaners (CDs with little tiny brushes on the data side)

[borateen]

I'm on a two-week long business trip, and since I'm not that adventurous, all I've got to keep me company for the weekend is a Dell Latitude D505 laptop, 10 movies, the second season of 24, and the second season of Arrested Development. So far everything's looking just fine on this little thing. And man, I did NOT see those deaths in Serenity coming. Wow.

[Sanagi]

I thought this was gonna be a complaint about battery life...