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If you try to think through PC storage device manufacturers, you could sit for a week and not come up with the name of Waitec. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a cheap way to create your own audio, data and photo CDs, the Megalus CD-RW drive should be high on your list.
The Megalus is an internal drive that fits in a vacant 5.25in drive bay of your desktop PC. If it is replacing an existing drive, you simply swap the IDE and power connectors to the new drive. If not, hooking it up is a matter of finding a spare connection on the wire that your hard disk or existing CDRom drive plugs into and using that.
The Megalus reads CDRoms at 40-speed, re-writes at 10-speed and writes blank CDs at a lightning-paced 24-speed. In layman's terms, this equates to 650Mb worth of data being 'burned' in less than three minutes. Not all blank CD-Rs support 24-speed writing though, so it is crucial that you invest in high-speed CD-Rs to ensure reliable results.
Another welcome attribute is burn-proof technology which reduces the risk of creating unreadable disks.
On the hardware front, the drive is as simple to install as any other internal drive but still requires the case of your PC to be lifted clear and a screwdriver to be wielded dextrously. Once physically in place it will be automatically detected by Windows and popping in the install CD will add the software to your hard disk.
To get information from your PC onto a CD, CD creation software is supplied in the form of PrimoCD Plus. This uses simple wizards to help create data discs, copy a disc or make a music CD.
In an unfathomable act of planning, however, Waitec has decided to put the user manual on the CDRom. Obviously this makes it impossible to follow if you haven't got a second drive.
The Megalus is cheap and cheerful but has top-quality features. For under £100, you're getting a super fast, burn-proof, internal CD-RW that does the job.
Contact: Avalon 01582 404443 www.waitec.com
Also consider: Plextor 24/10/40A
Burn-proof, 24-speed and solid as a rock. Superb if you can justify the £183 price tag.
See also:
It may not be the fastest CD-RW drive around, but will 'tattoo' your discs as it goes. 29 Nov 2002
If packet writing performance is your thing, this drive is nothing short of staggering. 01 Feb 2002
How does the veteran drive manufacturer's new offering stand up? 21 Nov 2001
All Optical Drives (CD/DVD Drive)
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