CD-ROM Market Booms

Many new computer now come with CD-ROM drives, sound cards, and even stereo
speakers built in. For example, Quantex (800-836-0566) sells a 486-66 tower
with 8MB RAM, 540MB hard drive, 1MB local bus VGA, 15" VGA color monitor, 14.4
FAX/modem, double-spin CD-ROM drive, 16-bit stereo sound card with speakers
and a wealth of software for under $1700. (This is given as an example, not
necesssarily the best deal around.)

The latest trend is toward notebook computers with those same features --
that's right, a CD-ROM drive, Sound Blaster compatible sound chips, and even
speakers and a microphone built into a notebook computer.

One such unit is sold by Comtrade (800-969-2123 or 818-369-6688) for under
$2700, which includes a 340MB removeable hard drive, 4MB RAM, a DX2-50 CPU,
and a bright dual-scan STN VGA display. The CD-ROM drive is accessed by
flipping up the keyboard.

Many notebooks have docking station options with CD-ROM drives and speakers
built in. Other notebooks, such as Toshiba, have SCSI ports which allow you to
connect CD-ROM drives directly. Or for $129 from Corporate Systems Center
(408-734-3475), you can add a SCSI-II port to your PCMCIA slot and add any
CD-ROM drive (or other SCSI device such as hard drives).

Another option is CD and speaker units which plug into the parallel port or
Type II PCMCIA slot on notebooks. Insight's Z-Player is a PCMCIA device which
runs off batteries or AC, plays data or music CDs, has a microphone, sound
chips, and speakers and sells for under $500 (800-998-8031)

Tiger Software (800-888-4437) is now offering a double-speed CD-ROM drive and
interface card for under $100.

If you want the fastest CD-ROM drive available, ComputAbility (800-554-2185 or
414-357-8181) and others sell "quad-speed" drives such as the Teac for just
$339.



CD-ROM Bargains!!

Many companies are offering bundles of CDs at give-away prices. The
CDs vary from marginal clip art to excellent-but-no-longer-the latest
games such as Sherlock Holmes, Space Quest IV, Battle Chess, and so on.

Most computer stores are carrying a bundle of 10 CDs for $29.95. Look
to see what's available at stores near you.

Heartland America (800-229-2901) offers a 10-CD pack for $39.99 with
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, Space Quest IV, Battle Chess,
Rock Rap'N'Roll, Paramount Movie Select, PC Karaoke, Home Medical
Advisor, Art & Letters Warbirds, Fantasia's 2000 Fonts, and
Microsoft's Multimedia Jumpstart.

Softkey International (800-242-5588) has a pack of 10 CDs containing
photos: Majestic Places, Wild Places, Vintage Aloha, Fall Bloom,
World View, Business Backgrounds, and more.