Help me choose - yes, another one :)

[Berman]

I know there are a few of these threads already, and I've already basically found out what I need to know, I could just use a bit more confirmation. I'm looking at getting me a CD burner; one of those lovely cheap 24X ones. However, there's a few brands, and I need advice on which is the way to go. There's only a minor price difference between all these, so cost isn't really a factor.

1. Asus CRW-2410S 24X 12X 40X (CAV) BURN-Proof IDE Retail
2. Benq (Acer) CRW2410A 40X 24X 10X Rewriter IDE
3. LG GCE-8240B 40X 24X 10X IDE Burn Proof
4. LiteOn LTR-24102B 24X 10X 40 CDRewriter IDE Burnpoof
5. Sony CRX175A 24/10/40 IDE OEM Rewriter

There are also Samsung and Mitsubishi models in this price range, but I don't know the specifics.

What I've gathered from the other threads is that LiteOn are the best out of all these budget writers. This surprises me because they're also the cheapest, and I've never heard of them before. But if anyone wants to chime in and affirm LiteOn's superiority, go right ahead, it's one step closer to me making a damn decision .

Oh yeah, my requirements: I'd mainly be using it for creating and copying data CD's, so I'm looking for reliability, compatibility and solid reading capability.

 

[r2k]

I think you won't go wrong with any of them. Except that I haven't had a good experience with my Acer CD-ROM drive (I've changed it now for an Asus) and that I've heard (and am currently seeing for myself) pretty good things about Asus CD-ROMs. A site that tested the Acer writer also mentioned that it's generally slower than its rated 24x speed.
Now the last few posts I've made here may make me look like a Teac representative but really, I have a Teac CD-W524E (24x10x40x) IDE [with 2 MB cache and Burnproof] and it's one solid and fast drive. You had mentioned reading speed and capabilities: I assure you it's got one of the fastest seek times among others (I'd even go as far as saying it's one of the fastest among CD-ROM drives) and when reading, always reaches its claimed 40x speed with no difficulty with every CD. And it's relatively silent. Check that too!

 

[lagger]

Well I really have had a good experience with my lite-on 32 x I think you may be surprised to learn that I just had one delivered to me (for a friend)and my total cost including shipping was exactly 70.00(<A HREF="http://www.serviceplug.com" target="_new">Link </A>).. hard to beat that for a burner that is fast reliable quiet and can copy any software disk out there including those protected by safedisk 2.5x

lagger

<b><font color=blue>Checking under my North<font color=red> AND</font color=red> South bridges for <font color=green>Trolls</font color=green></font color=blue>

 

[Arrow]

There have been many good experiences with Lite-on and they seem your best bet out of all those.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/about.php?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/about.php?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[juicebykurt]

'nother vote for lite-on here. i got a 32x for $70 bucks also. i couldnt be happier with it.

 

[Berman]

Thanks guys, this helps a lot. Couple o' questions though:

I assume the 32X LiteOn has basically the same capabilities as the 24X? Regarding copying Safedisc discs and so on?

And what's the availability like with 32X-compatible blank CD's? Are they as cheap and mainstream as 24x ones?

 

[upec]

Another vote for Lite-On.

 

[lagger]

32x disks are not quite as common and yes the lite on 32x has the same capabilities as the 24x

lagger

<b><font color=blue>Checking under my North<font color=red> AND</font color=red> South bridges for <font color=green>Trolls</font color=green></font color=blue>

 

[Arrow]

Since 32x writing is newer, their discs are not as mainstream as 24x discs yet. However, disc manufacturers usually don't take too long to catch on.

Rob
Please visit <b><A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/canada/about.php?affiliateid=319048" target="_new">http://www.ncix.com/canada/about.php?affiliateid=319048</A></b>

 

[zwaarst]

a Lite-on burner is a plextor burner with an other body work. Lite-on is a company that buy's product from known good brand company's and sells them under the lite-on name. This way those companys can make more of there products so the costs per product will be lower.

 

[reez]

if you are looking for RELIABLE, EFFICIENT, TROUBLE FREE cd-writing there's only one choice YAMAHA 24/10/40 they are the ulitmate solution for CD-WRITITN, and gives you 8 mb buffer which is unprecedented and no other maker offers such a feature, Yamaha is the choice of professionals..so go for it

 

[upec]

Lite-On designs and makes their own CDRW.

 

[lagger]

Lite-On designs and makes their own CDRW.

Yeah some of the Cen-Dynes out there are rebadged Lite-on's but Lite-on has been making optical drives for years for the oem market <A HREF="http://www.liteonit.com" target="_new"> Link </A>

lagger

<b><font color=blue>Checking under my North<font color=red> AND</font color=red> South bridges for <font color=green>Trolls</font color=green></font color=blue>