I don't know about anyone else, but for me one of the best features on the DSi XL that makes it awesome, besides the obvious screen size, is volume control being done by click-index buttons, instead of the usual shit-feel slider. I believe the GB Micro had a similar volume adjustment ... on the micro I'm thinking it was more like a up/down rocker than two buttons, but basically same thing. There's something about that method of adjustment that just feels more durable and of better quality than a wobbly slider. So, I was surprised to see the 3DS XL has a slider for volume adjustment. Bummer. However awesome the rest of the build quality is, that's gonna suck.

Sorry, that's all. Just had to say so.

 

Meh i have mixed feelings. I like the slider to pinpoint the volume level i really want, but the buttons give me a simple, easier control method. Personally, im happy with either option, and i think instead we should have somthing that shows our speaker volume level (like the idevice speaker level display)

 

I prefer sliders too. The buttons only give us 6 or so levels of volume, which sometimes doesn't feel enough. I didn't like the DS's slider because it was too small, but all the other sliders were good. I like the 3DS one.

 

I agree, the regular 3DS does not produce volume levels that I consider satisfactory either. The DSi XL does, though. It really does. So with any luck, we'll see the same effect with the 3DS XL. As far as I can remember reading once, the DSi XL uses the same speakers that are in the regular DSi, but because there is a greater space inside to mount them in (the equivalent of a speaker cabinet), a much greater volume was possible.

As for those who prefer the slider, I understand the appeal of the theoretical infinite levels of adjustability, but in practice it seems to me much more difficult to fine tune the slider. Seems I always end up trying to nudge it one way another just another 1/2 mm to get the right level, and I end up pushing it too much. I know, amateur. Also, I tend to end up bumping it during gameplay (I was especially prone to doing this on the DS Lite, due to its unfortunate placement).

 

Can depend on the earphones you have too.

 

I like volume wheels the best. Like the GameGear had, if I remember correctly. And the Pandora had one too.

Can't think of any other devices that used them though?

 

I was expecting a different complaint about the slider.
Honestly, the only reason why I like button volume control is that it allowed on-the-fly brightness control on the DSi/DSi XL. Unless there's a (different) way to do it on the 3DS, then that would be a noticeable omission IMO.

 

Every iteration of gameboy had them up till the SP I believe

 

Slider and buttons have its pros and cons.

I remember with my broken DS Lite the slider will just go down when playing.

However, sliders are definitely more accurate than buttons.

Buttons are still easier to control IMO.