FYI, The HP 9100i series are all the same except for software they include. The software that comes wit this drive is junk (Adaptec 3.0 series, it doesn't even support burning at 8x on this drive. I recommend Nero for everyday burning).
This drive is also the same as the Sony CRX140E-BP except for firmware. HP doesn't make CD-drives, they just repackage and sell others. Sony in this case.
4MB buffer, CloneCD supports it. I would rate it a "7 out of 10" drive... "good". Not "great", but $50 is a steal.