I prefer the look of the model 1 CD, looks so awesome underneath a model 1 Genesis, but I prefer the function of the model 2 CD. It's far more trustworthy, though mine occasionally restarts itself. But I can play it for quite a bit before running into problems and the problems are usually game specific. Ecco 1 seems to have issues, as does Rise of the Dragon when I watch a certain video. Might be disc issues.