Best CD burner to buy?

[SamSoccer7]

Hey all, I'm wondering what the best CD burner is right now. I was looking at the 40x plextor and the 32x tdk, but can't really decide on anything. Price isn't too big of a deal since I plan on using Amex blue so I can be safe for a couple months. But around $150 or less would be ideal. I searched for some threads but couldn't find too much lately. Thanks.

Sam

 

[SilverBack]

Hi Sam,
The world of CDRW's changed alot recently with faster speeds and a lot lower prices.

I have a Plextor 12x 10x 32 and really like it. I however paid $169 for it when it 1st came out. I wanted a drive that would write in "raw" mode.
It does do this and well.

Recently I bought another CDRW as a gift for my daughter.
I wasn't gong to spend a lot, so I got her an LG 24x 12 x 40x burner at a cost of $89
What I didn't expect to find was that this drive supports "raw" also.
My plex copied a full game cd using CloneCD in 6 minutes and 45 seconds. "trial purposes only mind you"
The LG did it in 3 minutes 10 seconds. I'm very impressed with the drive. Now as far as the life of the drive, I have no clue how it will fair with my Plex, but at $89 how can you go wrong?

 

[InsaneMorphius]

Sam,

I would highly recommend the TDK burners. I have owned quite a few of them to include my newest (32X Velocd) and never had a problem. The Burnproof is an added plus thanks to the plexi guys. Cant go wrong with either brand, but for the money, I say get the 32X TDK, IMHO

Morph

 

[ojai00]

Plextor and TDK are the brand name drives and will usually cost you more money. You can still look at the Lite-On, Teac, and LG drives also. They're quality drives for lower prices. Someone mentioned in another thread that anything above 16X write speed is really not worth it because you're losing mere seconds off the completion time. I currently have a Lite-On 24X drive and it burns a CD in about 3 or 4 minutes. The 32X and the 40X will only shave about 5 - 10 seconds (maybe a little more?) off it. Hope this helps.

 

[Zim Hosein]

SamSoccer7, burners off this list would be a great place to start: http://www.elby.org/CloneCD/english/index.htm

 

[Ryukumu]

I really love my Lite-On 24/10/40 burner. Comes with Nero, it's really really fast, reliable, a tad noisy but not an inconvenience. And cheap!

 

[NeoMadHatter]

i have a plextor 24x. i love it. but if you want to save some money you can go with the liteon. personally i don't trust them cuz i've never heard of them until their 24x and 16x burners appeared out of nowhere. so i got a plextor. figured, can't go wrong with plextor.

 

[xbassman]

Brand matters.....

I have a QPS (NEC 7800a) 16x10x40.
I bought it @ CompUSA a couple of months ago.
Well, about 2 weeks ago it quit! Won't read or write. I e-mailed QPS. No response as of yet!

Whatever brand you decide to go with...go to their website and see if they have drivers, firmware and tech support.

I have a Mitsumi 4x2x8 that I have used a couple of years in another computer. They are a very good inexpensive brand.

Kinda funny actually 2 days ago I received my rebate check for my burner purchase! :-/

I am considering the lite-on 24x10x40 but haven't made my mind up yet. Gonna go ahead and get a new one and if I can get an RMA on this piece of crap I will give it to my son!

 

[MowSow]

Plextor or liteon

 

[cyclones]

I have a "Hi-Val 24x2x2" it just about works.Made in a shed in Taiwan I think.
My lady has a Ricoh MP9120a-DP with DVD as well as the usual "burnproof" stuff.
Plenty fast enough for all usual needs and saves a slot.