1. Upgrading to include a CD-ROM, and
2. Upgrading from a slower CD-ROM; and
3. Upgrading to a "writable or recordable" CD-ROM.

For an upgrade, we are considering the "CD-ROM DRIVE", not the compact disk (CD).

Future purchases of CD-ROM drives should be for drives with speeds of 8x or higher. This is a recommendation of "PCNovice" publication. However, this recommendation was in early 1997. It would not be unreasonable to look for even higher speeds such as a 16 speed. You may to read and make sure the kinks are out of the 16 or 32 speed drives before purchasing one. With the new motherboards and high speed buses and CPUs, the higher the speed of the CD-ROM you purchase, the more time you will have before further upgrades become necessary.

1. Assume you are upgrading from "NO CD-ROM" status.

   Yes, you need a CD-ROM! I recommend a 12x or 16x CD-ROM. If you plan any multi-media usage, get the highest speed drive you can afford! Most software is distributed on CD-ROM these days, so to install software in the future you will need a CD-ROM.

2. Upgrading from a slower to a faster CD-ROM.

   If you have anything under an 8x speed drive, you may want to upgrade. Speeds under 8x cannot adequately handle the multi-media scene. On modern PCs, the slower your drive the more wasted CPU cycles you have while the system is waiting.

3. Upgrading to a "WRITABLE or RECORDABLE" CD-ROM.

   Assuming you want to record information, such as this course, on a CD-ROM for distribution, you will need a "recordable" CD-ROM drive.

   Newer technology, such as "Digital Video Disks" is rapidly reaching the "usable" stage, and holds many times the amount of the current CD-ROM capability. You may want to look into DVD before purchasing a CD-ROM Recording Drive; but you can be sure the CD-ROM will be useful for several years.

   "Recordable" versions of CD-ROM drives costs in May 1997 vary between $450-950.00 (different manufacturers) for an internal and external drives. The CD's themselves are relatively inexpensive ($7.00 to $9.00) if you consider bytes per dollar.

Consider the CD-ROM interfaces before purchasing. They are SCSI/ASPI (Advanced SCISI Programming Interface) and IDE/ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface), and proprietary versions. How many IDE connections do you want? Manufacturers:

1. RICOH
2. Hewlett-Packard
3. Phillips
4. Pennacle Micro

There are now "portable" PCMCIA 4x and 8x CD-ROM drives available for as little as $200.00 for the 4x, and $400.00 for an 8x drive.