Seeking Advice: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drives

[LightForce]

I'm shopping for a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive, and I've narrowed things down to the following:

*MSI X48
*Lite-On LTC48161H
*Sony CRX-300E
*TEAC DW548D
*Samsung SM352BENB

These drives are all 48x24x48x16, except the Samsung, which is 52x24x52x16.

I have read that the Sony and TEAC drives are just rebranded Lite-On drives. Does anybody know if this is true? If so, is there any advantage with purchasing one brand over another? Are they all the same quality, or does Lite-On sell the cream of the crop to one, and the average ones to another?

I'm looking for the following in a combo drive:
*quietness
*performance (does what you expect; handles scratched/imperfect discs well; doesn't heavily drain other system resources; works well under Linux)
*reliability (doesn't overheat, isn't prone to die early, minimal coasters, manufacturer has good reputation/history)
*speed (actual drive speed is reasonably close to advertised speed)

Quietness is most important, with performance and reliability tied for a very close second, and speed not too far behind for third.

I would really appreciate recommendations, impressions, or any kind of advice, especially from those who own one (or more) of these drives.

Also, suggestions for other similar drives are definitely appreciated. The drive must have a black faceplate, and preferably does not exceed 48x.

Thanks for your help!

~~LF

 

[Oyeve]

I have the samsung and love it madly. Never had a problem with it and got it for 50 bucks at compusa special rebate deal a couple of months ago.

 

[Ionizer86]

Judging from a few links I clicked, it looks like you can get a 4x DVD+-RW burner for barely more money (I've seen them at $60 to $70 before). I've even seen Liteon DVD burners for like around that price range. So don't discount buying a burner instead, especially considering that they play DVDs and burn CDs too.

 

[optimistic]

Sony is quiet, but slow in my experience. I have the 48/24/48/16 model.

The MSI is on sale at PCClub B&M for $45.

 

[Duvie]

Check to see if www.storagereveiw.com has reviews on them...In the past the liteon drives have been the best in DAE ripping speed as well as DVD ripping speed....I would through MSI out the window...The rest are quality.....

I also like the idea of a dvd burner for the extra bucks...Liteon makes one for a screaming price with near same cd-rw,cd-r buring speeds as those drives...

 

[Bonesdad]

Samsung here too, much quieter than I expected. It's a nice drive.

 

[Super6]

Teac used to make its own drives. Can't speak for the DW548D.

Super6

 

[LightForce]

Originally posted by: Duvie
...I would through MSI out the window...

Any particular reason you recommend against the MSI drive?

~~LF

 

[PizzaDude]

I'd go Lite-On.

 

[LightForce]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Judging from a few links I clicked, it looks like you can get a 4x DVD+-RW burner for barely more money (I've seen them at $60 to $70 before). I've even seen Liteon DVD burners for like around that price range. So don't discount buying a burner instead, especially considering that they play DVDs and burn CDs too.

While a DVD burner would be nice, I would want an external one (I'd use it for backing up multiple computers), and those are too expensive for me at this time.

Everyone, thanks for the advice so far. Keep it coming!

~~LF

 

[element]

edit: n/m I'm getting coasters at all speeds now, something else is wrong.

well not exactly coasters, the drive can read it's own cds but other cd players can't read past track 10

 

[mechBgon]

I have the Sony. It is quiet, has never burned a coaster yet (Memorex 52x CD-R's here), and does seem to be a Lite-On variant but with what I consider a more-attractive bezel... not that it matters when it's hiding. You may be interested to know that it tops out at 40x unless you hold down the Eject button for several seconds to shift it into Turbo mode, at which point it will max at 48x.

Even burning at 40x, it seems plenty fast to me. An extra 15 seconds here or there, I can live with that... it's satisfactory, where my old 12x burner was not. If you consider a DVD burner, take into account what its CD burn speed is.