LaCie StudioDrive CD-RW

Both Macintosh and PC owners can use the LaCie StudioDrive CD-RW USB 2.0 removeable media drive. It's supplied with software for both platforms, but isn't really portable enough to move between offices comfortably.

While you can get the same features and performance for less money using an internal drive, the ability to swap this unit between systems is its greatest strength.

The drive is rated at 24-speed write, 10-speed rewrite and 40-speed read.

You'll need a USB 2.0 interface to achieve these speeds, though, since the limited bandwidth of USB 1.1 prevents the drive working at full pace: only four-speed write, four-speed rewrite and six-speed read are possible.

The drive features BURN-Proof technology to prevent buffer underruns, so even if you have a slower USB 1.1 interface, or other peripherals attached to it, you shouldn't get failed disc writes.

BURN-Proof works by stopping writing if it looks like the drive's internal buffer is about to empty, but at a more convenient point than if the drive waited until the buffer emptied.

The styling of the device is identical to others in La Cie's StudioDrive range, so it can stack up with other units. The front panel features an open button and it drops down when the drive tray opens.

This leaves you unable to press the button again, so you'll have to push the drive tray to close it. If you remove the outer front panel completely, you get access to the front panel of the drive inside, which includes a headphone socket and LEDs that indicate read and write activity.

Power and USB cables are supplied, as well as a blank CD-R and a CD-RW. A copy of Roxio's Easy CD Creator 5 Basic for the PC and Toast for the Mac also accompany the drive. Easy CD Creator includes a CD-copying utility and CD-RW formatting software.

The StudioDrive CD-RW provides an easy way of adding rewriteable media capabilities to your PC without opening its case. However, it's too bulky if you need a portable device and its performance is bettered by most of its rivals.

Price: (as reviewed, ex. VAT) £209.99

Contact: LaCie 020 7872 8000
www.lacie.co.uk

See also:

Plextor PlexWriter 48/24/48U

A solid and stylish external CD writer that performs well.  08 Jan 2003

Lacie Studiodrive/Plextor PX-W4012TU

Two external USB2 CD writers go head to head.  13 Sep 2002

Odixion Uno DigiCopier

Copy up to 12 CDs per hour with no connection to a host PC.  11 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

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