Mining Lasers - Which hardpoint? Does class matter?

[The Philostopher]

The only thing I was able to find out about mining lasers is that higher quality lasers cut ore chunks faster.

Is that really it? Does it matter if its class 1 or 2? Does a class 2 cut bigger chunks of ore?

 

[Cmdr Andy B]

I'm not sure about larger but the class 2's are a lot faster, they do require a medium hardpoint though, the class 1's fit on a small hardpoint.

 

[ndrwc]

Depending on your ship, the distance from centreline to hardpoint may send mining fragments in interesting directions if you are very close to the asteroid you're mining. 2x mining lasers will cut through asteroids like butter but beware of pirates (NPC or otherwise) if you don't run any weapons - mining lasers seem to do no damage against other ships.