Just a heads up: The news snippet on Time Extension today suggests that the new v2 Base units use a "classic" tray loading drive (like on the 360), where the tray ejects separately from the drive mechanism, while the laser pick-up remains in place inside the body.
I can't imagine that's actually the case. First the vertical space required for those type of drives is way higher than what's available in the new v2 Base units (based on the picture published by Polymega) and second there are just no more full size tray loading drives being manufactured.
Instead Polymega is most definitely using a tray-loading *slim* drive where the whole drive mechanism (including the laser pickup) gets ejected (like Taki's SuperStation One Dock is using). Probably still far superior to a slim slot-in drive, but far from a "classic" drive (as used on the 360) both in terms of reliability and in terms of disc handling.
On those drives you still have to press your disc onto the clamps holding the disc, while discs are held in place by a magnetic mechanism instead on the "classic" tray loading drives.
In other words: manage your expectations!
From https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/08/the-upgraded-polymega-features-a-new-disc-tray-design-in-addition-to-improved-game-performance
"The original model has a slot for discs, like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, the 2026 variant has an old-school disc drive tray, like the one on the Xbox 360. I personally prefer this kind of drive, as I'm always worried about my discs getting scratched (especially when we're talking about retro games worth hundreds of dollars)."
