Advantages: saves space in the computer
Disadvantages: a little noisy

...This drive combines the reading speed of CDs of 52x, with the writing speed of 52x for CD-Rs and 24x for CD-RW. Impressive already, 16x DVD read it added too. This makes it an excellent way of conbining a DVD player with a CD burner. It is ideal for me because I only have one available space in my computer for a drive so this is the best kind of drive to go for as it saves space. Box contents = * Drive itself * Nero Burning ROM and INCD 5.5 * Power DVD XP version 4.0 * User guide on CD * Audio Cable * Mounting Screws Specs (in summary) = * Samsung 52x24x52x16x Combo drive * internal - 5.25" * Interface: IDE/ATAPI - 40 PIN IDC * Supported CD Formats: CD Text, CD Extra, CD-DA (audio), CD-I, CD-ROM XA, Photo CD, Video CD, CD-ROM * Supported Media Types: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD... Read review

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Advantages: its an all in one
Disadvantages: can be noisy at times!

...of that machine. But like all PC parts it got faster, it could do more, and the prices were falling by the month. That was 6 years ago and my has time flown since then. With customer demand came customer satisfaction. No longer do we need loads of everything when nowadays you can put it all in one box Why buy more than you need eh? Exactly! So why buy a CD-RW and a DVD-Rom when you can get all you need in one machine, just like this Samsung CD-RW/DVD-ROM. It makes sense to buy this because look at the money your saving instead of buying 2 drives. Now you can free up a drive bay on your PC and utilise it a lot better e.g. why not put a DVD burner in to go with your new DVD-ROM. Making back-ups 'on-the-fly' is a dream with the Samsung. It can read DVD's at 16X which is standard reading speed for DVD's. It can burn CD-R's at a staggering 52X which... Read review

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Advantages: a REMOTE CONTROL!!!!!
Disadvantages: a bit slow when using usb 1.1

...Well this might be officially called the J32RWDV, but those crazy people at Philips have called this external USB 2.0 combo drive the ‘Jackrabbit’. Also, they have plastered the drive and box with zany pictures of a cartoon rabbit. Mad. Now, the reason that you buy a combo drive is to get the fun of a CD-RW , with all the customized CD’s, and to also get the pleasure of a DVD-ROM drive, with all the DVD playing options. The problem with this is that a combo is usually very pricey, so most of us tend to just get lumped with two drives and keep the extra dosh. But, what happens when you need the CD-RW and DVD-ROM, but only have one drive bay? A combo, that’s the answer. Now those people at Philips have decided it was time to give everyone out there a few added features to make it a whole load more fun to use this combo and to entice you... Read review

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Advantages: Small, looks very cool
Disadvantages: Noe really, does what it says it does

...and play DVD's, all for free and they are not the usual trial versions. I did have a quick look at the user manuals, which appear to be user friendly and understandable but at the end of it, its only a CD drive, how hard can it be. OPERATING Inserting a CD is easy enough. There is a chromed button with operating light on the top front of the unit that you press to open the drive. Insert your CD as normal and off you go. The unit reads/writes at the following speeds. read: 24x (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW) 8x (DVD-ROM) 4x (DVD-R, DVD-RW) 1x (DVD-RAM) write: 24x (CD-R/-RW) ELSE As with all Toshiba products you get excellent product support. There is a good support section at www.toshiba.co.uk I quite like this unit. Looks good and functions well without being no the heavy side. Especially like the easy USB connection and short time it takes to set... Read review

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Advantages: ultra speed writing cd-rw
Disadvantages: selceting correct media for maximum speed

...16x DVD+R speed 16x CAV burns leads to faster burns when compared with 16x Z-CLV Reads CDs at 48x and DVDs at 16x Good writing quality on CD-R's Fast and perfect audio extraction Can rip protected audio discs "Two sheep" writer Supports DAO-RAW writing Supports 99 minutes CD-R discs Bad points: Does notsupport Mt. Rainier Only 40x burn speed on CD-R Read CD-RW discs at 32x only A spec list: supports the following: DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, CD-ROM/XA, CD-Audio, Video-CD, Photo CD, CD-I(FMV), CD-Extra, CD-TEXT Buffer memory: 2MB Dimensions: (WxHxD mm) 148.2x 42x 184 Average Seek Time: DVD : 130ms CD : 110ms In retail you should get the following: The drive itself Audio cable Pinnacle installation CD IDE cable 4 mounting screws Quick install guide Over all i... Read review

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Advantages: If its a Plextor is great!!!
Disadvantages: Its more likely to be a naff Samsung though.

...I don't own the Creative drive but just wanted to make a comment. When the Creative 8432 came out it was a Plextor based drive and Plextors are the best cdwriters available for reliability and features. This was the model all the reviews are based on and therefore its a highly rated model. After the reviews died down Creative sneakily replaced the Plextor based drive with a Samsung based drive but still kept it branded as 8432! Samsungs are not highly rated drives in fact their right at the bottom. What do you think of a company that does this? The Samsung model is cheaper with its own branding and is better supported with firmware upgrades and so it makes no sense to pay more for the Creative.... Read review

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Advantages: Re-Writable CD, 74min record time, 650MB storage
Disadvantages: Small storage compared to Re-Writable DVD's

...The Imation CD-RW 650 MB 24x discs are an excellent way to back up or store data at home or at work. I know it's not much storage compared to DVD-RW's but these still come in use as I still use them sometimes myself. As sometimes you don't need 4.7GB that a DVD can hold. Imation CD-RW rewritable discs have an increased recording speed of 24x and noise free play for a wide range of applications. Even though the CD-RW format requires speed compatible disc burners for recording, the discs can be used in standard CD-R/RW drives as well as Multi-read CD-R/CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and rewritable DVD drives. This is very useful as you may have a drive which can handle more speed which shouldn't have a compatibility issue. Main features and functions: - Storage media type CD-RW - 10 discs - 650 MB storage - 74min recording time - Write Speed: 24x... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to update chipset, 8 High Speed USB2 Ports
Disadvantages: Reports of difficulty removing case, Slightly awkward component placement

...as the operating system (you can either select Unix OS if you like). It houses an Intel GMA900 Graphics card with a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 and gives you access to CD-RW DVD-ROM combo with a read speed of 48 times. Built in speakers and an 80GB Serial ATA-150 Hard Drive wrap this neat little bundle up and packs it with an incredible 3 year warranty. There have been reports that the case is incredibly tight and difficult to get off for those who may want to update it for any reason, and some of the components are in slightly awkward places; namely the Hard Drive is right under the power supply and it's cumbersome trying to get to it. All in all though, the HP Compaq Business Desktop Dc7100 is a perfect addition to anyone's office and for virtually any use. It sits with quite a hefty price tag, still, though but worth the money.... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, reliable, multifeatured
Disadvantages: With only one CDR and one CDRW, I've to go to PC World!

...It was about time I got a new CD ROM drive, and I wanted to get both a CD Rewritable drive and a DVD-ROM drive. God bless Ricoh...! No sooner had I realised that the company which brought us the CDRW disc had also produced a combination CDRW and DVD drive, than they went and improved it! Now the new drive, only a bit more expensive, reads CDs at 32x, records at 12x and rewrites at 10x - AND reads DVDs at 8x!!! All in all, that means this drive is among the fastest and relatively future-proof (as much as anything is nowadays, anyway)! The box includes one CDR and one CDRW disc to practice on, a fine DVD software player and an excellent CD burning software program called Nero, as well as a drag-and-drop CDRW drive feature. I was momentarily disappointed to find no manual in the package, but to tell the truth, you really don't need one... Read review

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Advantages: It's a good combo drive
Disadvantages: check what media you use with it.

...Firstly, this model is a rebadge of a Ricoh MP9060A. This drive is DVD&CD/RW drive, that is the reason on which I bought it. It was only a bit more than a regular CDRW. This drive was recommended in a group test in Personal Computer World. It was the best of the Combo drives. The performance was better than the Ricoh MP9060A, because of a updated firmware. The drive writes CDRs at 6 speed, CDRW at 4 speed. It reads the DVDs at 4 speed, and the CD-ROMS at 24 speed. In my opinion, in terms of reading, you really don't need anymore than a 24 speed, any higher is just to show off. The Drive comes with Audio cables, manuals, and the support posters. Software supplied comes courtesy of Adaptec, with Easy CD Creator, CD Copier Deluxe and DirectCD, and few other things present on the CD. Also there is a CDRW disc included. However, I... Read review

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