I've done some reading about this topic but I can't figure out which option to choose.

I have a 79FL Hitachi drive. There are plenty of people who are saying that the Nme chip is the way to go because there is a big chance the Passkey won't even work. The other half suggests the Passkey because they don't see anything new coming with the chip.

I'm confused. Is there a plain answer for my question.. which option is better

Passkey is better IMHO.
Once you have installed the passkey & flashed the drive you can remove the passkey where as the NME has to stay put. You can then use the same passkey to flash other hitachi 79 drives.

Im not a beleiver in dvd drive modchips, the only modchips i want to see are full bios modchips that will allow homebrew & unsigned code.

i agree with slim. just use the passkey to put your hitachi into mode b (its a compatible drive, i don't know why people told you it wouldn't work), then flash the drive, and either sell the passkey or mod your friends systems. the NME doesn't give you any features that a firmware flash doesn't, and costs more.

thnx guys. At this point I'm aware of the advantages of the passkey so I orderd one.