Iomega Predator 24x

Iomega was a bit slow in adding USB to its products when the interface was first developed, but it seems to be making a special effort to keep up with USB 2. It's already released a USB 2 version of its 16x CD-RW drive, and the company has now updated its faster Predator drive to use USB 2 as well.

The Predator drive runs at 24x10x40x (write/rewrite/read), but the original version of the drive was limited by the speed of the USB interface so it could only run at 4x 4x6x. The USB 2 interface is about 40 times faster than USB 1, though, so the Predator can now run at full speed. This means that it can create a 60-minute music CD in 3-4 minutes.

You can still use the Predator on a PC that only has an ordinary USB 1 or 1.1 interface, but the drive will drop back down to the 4x4x6x performance level dictated by that interface. Iomega is currently running a special offer of a free USB 2 upgrade card bundled with initial shipments of the Predator, but it's strictly 'while stocks last' so check on this before you buy the drive.

Also bundled with the Predator is Iomega's HotBurn software, an easy-to-use program that provides options for creating data and music CDs, duplicating existing CDs and even designing and printing your own CD labels.

The installer's rather annoying, though, as it forces you to fill out a registration form before it will install the software. Only when you've filled out the form does it bother to ask you whether or not you actually want to register.

That minor irritation aside, the Predator is a neatly designed CD-RW drive that provides good performance and ease of use. It's not the cheapest 24x drive available, but it's worth getting if you can grab one with the free USB 2 thrown in.

The Predator may be just another CD-RW but it performs well, and Iomega's HotBurn software is easy to use for first-time buyers.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 24x10x40x CD-RW drive
• Compatible with USB 1.0 and USB 2.0
• HotBurn software for creating and duplicating CDs
• Design and printing software for CD labels
• Free USB 2 card 'while stocks last'

Minimum requirements

PC with Windows 98 SE and USB interface

Contact

Iomega: 020 7216 0003 www.iomega.com

See also:

Iomega Zip 100

Can this portable drive compete with a CD writer?  24 Jun 2002

Philips DVD CD-Rewriter Combi

A high-performance combination drive.  20 Jun 2002

Iomega 16x10x40x External CD-RW

A very nippy drive with a bundled USB 2 card.  04 Apr 2002

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

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