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What do you think about this subject : Front loading consoles VS Top loading consoles

Hellraizah

Hellraizah

Member
Personally, I would like every next gen console to be top loading. Sure, it's not as slick looking as a front loading console (that fits well with other DVD players, VHS player and whatnot), but it's a lot more convenient when you want to clean the lens, and less mechanical parts = less chances of breaking up. You can't have discs that get stuck in the console, and it's cheaper for a company to make, so they can lower the price of the console a little more (I guess).

I never understood why PS2 and Xbox took that path when it was clear in the Sega CD day that the top loading machine was superior.
 
A

ArcadeStickMonk

Member
Top loading is better for utility, but trays just look better. Since Microsoft and Sony both want their shit to look like it belongs in you home theatre, they will most certainly use trays

Also trays manage when the disc can safely be taken out for fuckups who can't handle that sort of thing

What'd really be nice is to have a tray system that has a "secret" top door as well, for servicing and in case you already walked your XBOX 2 to the car with your friend's copy of Halo 3 still in it.
 
scarybore

scarybore

Member
I daresay the only major reasons to go for a front loader is so you can stack you console onto or under your over electrical equipment such as DVD or VCR players or indeed another console and thus save space (but this only really helps when the top of your console is flat, im looking at you xbox! :D) or to make it more difficult to disk swap to play imported games.

Im dont mind either method but I see front loading to be more of a benefit to consumers simply due to the space issue.
 
M

Miguel

Member
sony-playstation.gif


<3
 
F

FortNinety

Member
And front loaders are a bitch to get around when you want to play imports and the such. And I'll always afraid of the front load tray braking.
 
G

Gorgie

WTF
I like top loading, as I think the simplist solution for a problem (DVD drives) are the best. Sure, you can't stack on top loading consoles, but how many people stack stuff on their consoles now, excluding xbox and gamecube for obvious reasons? I'm too scared of breaking it by putting something too heavy on it, or covoring important vents.
 
W

Wario64

works for Gamestop (lol)
Top loading for me. Don't have to turn on the console to take discs out and I can switch games in and out faster
 
A

AntoneM

Member
top loader >>> front loader > tray loader

Top loaders rule, easier to clean less chance of breaking. Front loaders are just sexier than tray loaders.
 
G

garrickk

Member
Well, the PS3 will be Blu-ray which I thought was going to go with caddies to protect the disks. This would be a slot/caddie drive system I would assume.

I had a caddie Plexor CDROM SCSI drive back in the day. The disks you buy (movies and games) will come with caddies that probably can't be opened (easily). But, there should be caddies that you can open to put your own media (written movies, etc.).
 
Pimpbaa

Pimpbaa

Member
Front loading is a cause of a lot of dirty discs errors since you can't clean the lens of the drive without opening up your console and voiding your warranty. Also, considering how hot consoles get these days, you guys shouldn't be stacking them. They really need to be in an open area.
 
U

u_neek

Junior Member
trippingmartian said:
Top-loading > *
Click to expand...

Is that star supposed to look like an asshole?

If, yes I agree - but still: Front loading ----------------------------------> Top-loading > *
 
T

Traumahound

Member
Wario64 said:
Top loading for me. Don't have to turn on the console to take discs out and I can switch games in and out faster
Click to expand...

We have a winner.

And those trays just look and feel so flimsy.

Top loaded is much better than tray loaded unless we get multi-disc (3,5,7) consoles.
 
Hellraizah

Hellraizah

Member
I agree that games coming in a case à la floppy disc/minidisc would be VERY convenient. It would also be a nice way to adopt style with intelligent design. No disc tray coming out, but still front loading, somewhat.
 
I

iapetus

Scary Euro Man
FortNinety said:
And front loaders are a bitch to get around when you want to play imports and the such. And I'll always afraid of the front load tray braking.
Click to expand...

Only if you're playing the imports by dodgy disc swap tricks, which isn't likely to be good for any console.

Pimpbaa said:
Also, considering how hot consoles get these days, you guys shouldn't be stacking them. They really need to be in an open area.
Click to expand...

The air intakes are on the front and back, which are open. The top and bottom are sealed anyway, so having another (inactive) console there isn't going to hurt much.
 
H

human5892

Queen of Denmark
- Decreased chances of DDEs
- Easier game-switching
- No need for console to be on for game removal/insertion
- Less mechanical parts means cheaper console and more reliability

Top loading clearly wins. I think I once heard that front-loaders can read discs faster, but even assuming that's true, I don't think the bit of extra speed (plus maybe a little more stackability in the entertainment center) is worth trading all of the above advantages.
 
S

Semjaza Azazel

Member
Slot loaders suck as far as I'm concerned. Based on my experience with them (around five so far), they're all far more likely to break than other methods just out of normal use. My parents' cars both have them... one won't work at all and the other has been fixed like three times. I'd not trust them in a console.
 
M

MetatronM

Unconfirmed Member
Top-loading > Front-loading simply because of the ease of importing. My PSX, Saturn, DC, and GC can all handle imports with minimal effort. I can't say the same for the PS2 and Xbox.

Aside from that, I don't really care much either way, though I do feel that front-loading leaves me largely at the mercy of the machine's whimsy.
 
R

radios shipping overview

Member
If a console's going to be front-loading, it had better be a friendly stack component (I'M LOOKING AT YOU XBOX). I prefer top-loading simply because there are fewer mechanisms to wear out.
 
G

ge-man

Member
Top loaders are definately better IMO. Front loaders might look sexier, but I don't think they are worth the potential trouble.
 
B

bjork

Member
I don't think I'd ever stack consoles anyway... just make all the games downloadable like the Phantom!

No wait, don't.
 
DCX

DCX

DCX
Side loading :) Actually i prefer top loading, although in a conventional entertainment center setting it sucks because you can't double stack ala a DVD player. I hate the fact a front loader can have it's drive give on you and you would be SOL, hence my problem with my old PS2.

DCX
 
J

JoshuaJSlone

Member
Hellraizah said:
Personally, I would like every next gen console to be top loading. Sure, it's not as slick looking as a front loading console (that fits well with other DVD players, VHS player and whatnot), but it's a lot more convenient when you want to clean the lens, and less mechanical parts = less chances of breaking up. You can't have discs that get stuck in the console, and it's cheaper for a company to make, so they can lower the price of the console a little more (I guess).
Click to expand...
I'm with you 100%. Additionally, with the way consoles could overheat, the last thing I want to do is stack things on top of one, or put it in such an enclosed location that there's no room above it.
 
A

aku:jiki

Member
iapetus said:
Front-loading > top-loading if you've got a lot of consoles. Top-loaders don't stack as well.
Click to expand...
This is the truth.

I've got my PS1 on top of my DC, which is on top of my PS2. I just can't fit them any better with this shitty..uh..huge cupboard..thing.. I've got them on. It looks ridiculous. Xbox isn't any better. Developers, please keep the consoles flat and front-loading so we can stack!

Edit: What the hell. Do y'all live in mansions with gigantic shelves to put your consoles on, or do you just have one console?
 
A

Ar_

Member
Front loading. Not even worth questioning for me.
Dirty lens? Overheating? Never gave me problems. Imports? Chips are for those, disk swapping is annoying.
What I want is space. I routinely throw away old consoles, game boxes, cd cases, to save it. No need for 3+ consoles, and maybe dedicated DVD and CD players, all top loading and unstackable - wasting room and looking really silly as well.
 
E

Ecrofirt

Member
MetatronM said:
Top-loading > Front-loading simply because of the ease of importing. My PSX, Saturn, DC, and GC can all handle imports with minimal effort. I can't say the same for the PS2 and Xbox.

Aside from that, I don't really care much either way, though I do feel that front-loading leaves me largely at the mercy of the machine's whimsy.
Click to expand...

You can't say the same for Xbox? Get a modchip, and there's no problem with imports.
 
L

levious

That throwing stick stunt of yours has boomeranged on us.
Wario64 said:
Top loading for me. Don't have to turn on the console to take discs out and I can switch games in and out faster
Click to expand...

why are you turning off your system with a game in it?

I prefer front loading cause random guests at my house seem to treat those systems with more respect/caution.
 
K

Kudie

Member
jiji said:
If a console's going to be front-loading, it had better be a friendly stack component (I'M LOOKING AT YOU XBOX). I prefer top-loading simply because there are fewer mechanisms to wear out.
Click to expand...

IAWTP. I do not like front loading consoles because they have a better chance of wearing out, leaving you with a non-functioning drive.
 
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