There is something I am curious about and I’d like to hear from the other folks here. Since I can’t find my favorite CDs (Kodak Gold Ultima) in stores anymore, I’ve been using Sony CD-R and experimented a little bit with Maxell discs for CD burning. Both have proved to be reliable.

The last time I went to a computer store, I saw the same Sony discs I use, in a 50-discs spindle. I wonder… could those discs be the same, but cheaper because they sell more of them without jewel cases ? Or is there a chance that these could be more mass-production CD-R’s that are less reliable than the ones that ship in 10-packs ?

CD-r’s are always cheaper in spindle.  That is almost always the case, but as you said, you get no jewel cases with them.  I find that I can usually find 10 packs with cases for around the same price per cd as spindles, so I usually go that route. 

For example, I just bout some IBM CD-r’s in 10 pack, with slim cases for about $8 ($.80 each) and that is about as good as you generally find on spindle, or at least close.  So when I find these, I buy several packs.  Then again, I do see 50 pack spindels for around $30, so that is a bit less still, but what is $.20 per cd?

Just depends on whether you like the cases or not….

—
Jon

If you get the right rebates you can find a 50 pack for $10 or $15.

Once I got a 30 pack for free after a rebate.  One spindle that I got recently was a 50 pack of Sony’s, 70 min per CD.  The whole thing cost me $10.  Of course, these may not not very good quality CDs, but they work fine for me and Sony seems like a good name.

_________________
David Nelson
Mac Observer Forum Mod

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: David Nelson on 2001-08-06 23:15 ]</font>

If you desperately need cases for your CDs, you can pick them up nice and cheap at most music stores.  If that’s not crucial but you still want a bit of protection, you can normally find packs of 50 clear plastic CD sleeves for some ridiculously low price at an office supply store.

As for the potential dodginess of spindle CDs, as a general rule they’re the same product.  I bought a brand called ‘Mr Data’ once, though - avoid-avoid-avoid-like-the-plague.  Brr, horrible.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Raena on 2001-08-07 09:16 ]</font>

Though i cringe to admit it I have been buying the 50pk of CompUSA brand CD-R’s lately for quick backups and Imation 100pk spindles for eveything else since I can’t find the Kodak’s anymore either. If I need protection I buy a 50pk of the slim jewel cases and be done with it. My backups don’t need a jewel case since they go into a velvet sleeve before they go into the safety deposit box.

The spindles are the exact same CDs as the ones in the packs with the jewel cases, except much cheaper.

If you are just going to put them in CD wallets/binders, there really isn’t a point in spending extra money on the cases. If you do need the cases, I would imagine (haven’t actually checked) that buying a spindle of 50 CDs and the value packs of jewel cases at a music store would still be cheaper.

As for brands, I’m liking the Memorex Black CD-Rs. They are very reliable even at 16x, and you can’t beat the look. (Let’s see, pale bluish green, or stealth black…) They cost the same as the non-black variety too.