Optical disc drive vendors are expected to replace the half-height (H/H) optical disc drives (ODDs) used in desktop PCs with slim-type ODDs used in notebooks by the end of 2013.

The reason is the high cost related to the H/H ODDs comapred to slim-type models, sources in Taiwan told Digitimes.com. The larger dimensions of H/H ODDs need more metal materials and also higher assembly and transportation costs. At the same time, the demand of both desktop PC and notebooks equipped with slim-type ODDs decline, as alternative storage options emerge.

Beginning from third-quarter 2013, slim-type 12.7mm-thick ODDs currently used in conventional notebooks will be adopted for desktops while 9.5mm models will be used in slim notebooks and ultra-like models, and 9mm models in ultrabooks. Costs of 9mm slim-type ODDs are about 10% higher than those of 9.5mm models, Digitimes.com added.

PC vendors are reluctant to use the ultrabook-optimized thinner ODDs (8.5mm/7mm) as their production costs are higher than 9mm models.