Recommendation on an external CD-R?

[algae]

External models don't seem too available. Too expensive? Any
recommendations?

Thx
Gary

 

[Shmorq]

My sister has the Iomega 4x4x24 USB burner. She's had no problems with it so far. She got it refurbished for $99. I believe brand new, they go for about $150 which isn't too outrageous.

 

[Kwad Guy]

Well, it depends on what you want it for. If it's just for
occasional system backups to CDR(w), then a USB burner will
work fine. These are limited to write speeds of 4x, and basically
any USB burner will do a reasonable job. You can currently find
them for as little as $99 after rebate. Oh, and USB drives are
limited to read rates of only 6x. Not much fun.

If you want a burner for more frequent use, then you will want
a faster burner. That means you need to get either a SCSI or
firewire drive. The one you choose will depend in part on your
system. Do you have either firewire or SCSI already installed?
SCSI external drives tend to be a bit cheaper than firewire
drives, mostly because they sell somewhat better. Firewire has
the advantage of hot swap, but if this is a permanent fixture
of your system, who cares about that?

SCSI/Firewire drives are available in speeds up to the 12 or 16x,
with 32-40-whatever x for reads. However, these drives are all
going to cost you $200++.

Kwad

 

[algae]

Sounds good. I only need one for occasional backups on two of my machines that don't have burners. However I don't often see them for sale anywhere.

Thx

Gary

 

[pdo]

If you want the best than this is what you should get. I got an internal ones than went on E-BAY to look for some old(4x) external Plextor cdrom for like $15 and just use the enclosure for the writer and it works awesome. I can usually take it me along with my laptop on extended trips.

 

[elchen]

u can buy an internal one and then get an external case. but external case runs about 75 bucks or so...