We started out this comparison intending to test DVD-ROM drives that were CD-RW capable, it soon became apparent that these were a rare beast indeed.
Calling the Ricoh MP7120A a fast CD-RW is a bit like calling the Concorde a fast aeroplane. Rated at 10x/12x/32x (CD-RW write/CD-R write/CD-R read) maximum speeds, that translates to up to 4.8 MB/sec for CD-ROM reads.
The CD-RW drive is the peripheral du jour, and if you don't have one of these devices hooked up to your system, you're missing out on a whole lot of fun and function.
CD-RW drive hardware doesn't get any better than this. You not only get the fastest write and rewrite speeds and buffer underrun protection, but the AU$899 Ricoh MP9120A doubles as an 8x DVD reader as well.
Until recently backing up data to a CD-R or CD-RW and playing DVD movies on your PC required two separate drives. With Hewlett-Packard's 9900ci, a 12x (CD-R) by 10x (CD-RW) by 32x (CD read) by 8x (DVD read) drive, you get all the features of a CD-RW and a DVD-ROM drive in one inexpensive and easy-to-install unit.
These days, 40x CD writers are in the elite pack, making 32x units great buys on a value-for-money basis.
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