Budget CD-Rewritable drives

Volume 17, Number 4 • April 2000

Budget CD-Rewritable drives — To get the best deal, buy a CD-RW drive that's not top of the line
by Péter Jacsó

CD/DVD COMMENTARIES column presents a buyers' guide to budget CD-Rewritable drives. Says that smart buyers know that when purchasing computers and peripherals they will find the sweetest prices on products that are a notch below the latest models. Points out that the 8X recording speed is not worth the premium price, and the 4X speed is generally more reliable. Notes that the best CD-RW drives sport a 2MB buffer, and can record/write at 4X speed and read at 24X speed, a perfect combination of options. Highlights the Hewlett-Packard 8200 ($193), which bundles disaster recovery software for system backup; the Iomega ZipCD 650 ($183), which is better in the image-management category; the Mitsumi CD4804TE ($190), whose less than stellar workmanship keeps it from being recommended; the Verbatim CD-RW 4420a ($176), a good value; and four additional manufacturer's models.