Well that's partially true, although none of my drives has ever gone belly-up on me. Not like the harddrives. I've got one optical drive pushing ten years now, two more around the 5 year mark.
I've pulled dozens apart to attempt 'mechanical' repairs....a mate ran a computer store...and he gave me the duds/returns to see if I could revive them.....the average was about 3 out of 12 just needed a clean and 'oil'....
If you look at them closely it's a wonder they ever work at all....they really are junky....and I can remember just how much the very first PC CD-Roms actually were.
Thankfully their price now matches their quality...
