Plextor Plexwriter 24/10/40A

Plextor is a long-established name in CD-RW drives and it knows how to make a good one. On paper, nothing can beat the Plextor's claimed writing speeds. It can copy a whole 74-minute disc in three-and-a-half minutes if you are using suitable high-speed CD-R discs. Burning CD-RW discs at 10-speed takes just over seven minutes. Our tests showed it was able to live up to its claims using the bundled Nero Burning software from Ahead.

Speed isn't everything with CD writing, though, and to reinforce this idea, the Plexwriter strives to ensure error-free operation. Ordinary CD-RW drives are prone to what's known as 'buffer underrun' and this occurs when the PC that's supplying the drive with data to write to a blank disc can't supply it fast enough. If a CD-RW drive has to stop the writing process for any reason, the disc is spoiled.

So-called burn-proof technology works by allowing the drive to pause when there isn't any data to write, and resume when there is, without spoiling the disc. In other words, disc-creation becomes a foolproof process, which means less money wasted on CD-R discs.

The Plexwriter feels extremely solid compared with cheaper, flimsier drives but there's one peculiar problem with regard to its dimensions. The Plextor is longer than a normal CD-ROM drive thanks to its fan. This didn't prevent the drive working, but it protruded half an inch from the front of our PC case. Make sure you have plenty of case space before buying.

The final part of the package is the presence of a two-year collect and return manufacturer's warranty. If nothing else, it proves that Plextor has real faith in its products.

In comparison with many of the CD-RW drives on the market, the Plextor isn't cheap. However, performance and peace of mind come at a cost and we think it's worth it.

Contact
Scan: 0870 755 4747 www.plextor.comALSO CONSIDER

PHILIPS PCRW 1208K
If your CD-making is unreliable, take a look at this drive.
£120

See also:

Plextor 24/10/40U (USB 2.0)

An extremely fast, solidly built external CD writer.  02 Apr 2002

Waitec Megalus

A high-speed, burn-proof CD-RW drive for under £100. Bargain.  15 Feb 2002

Samsung SM-308

Watch DVDs and make CDs with Samsung's combo drive.  13 Nov 2001

Philips DVD+RW recorder

As a DVD rewriter, the DVDR 1000 does a very good impression of a VCR.  23 Oct 2001

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