Schumie used our newssubmit to let us know that Digit-life.com has reviews on the HP 9710i, Yamaha's CRW2100E and Mitsumi's CR-4808TE.
Let's start with the Mitsumi CD-4808TE drive. This IDE drive is not a very well performing one, but it's nevertheless a good drive. The best point of the drive is, according to this review, the low price.
Conclusion and summary |
[..] Well, this recorder is not an absolute champion, and it won't be easy for the company to attract attention of customers exactly to this model because of the great variety so similar drives. However, the company follows the most effective policy of maintaining the prices at the lowest possible level (though, it may be not the most convenient one). I think the price of $130 will soon be cut to $110-115. [..]
[..] The drive does have some disadvantages, but the most part of them is connected with the fact that it is still a pre-production sample. At present, if you are interested in the fast and high-quality operation with audio CD, as well as in a convenient operation with CD-RW media, you'd better wait for 1-2 updated versions. Besides, remember that the drive doesn't take all CD-R discs equally.
As far as the ExacLink is concerned, the situation is still vague. I'm sure it is realized at least at the hardware level. Why it doesn't work is the question to answer. However, my colleagues from Germany say it works in production samples.
In all other respects, it is a fast and stable CD-ROM drive with rather high recording possibilities at the moderate price. [..]
Then there is the review of two drives, the Hewlett Packard and the Yamaha drive. Both drives are again not the top of the bill, but perform well.
For the real experienced writers these are not the drives to get, but if you need a burner that is a reliable, well performing and not to expensive drive, then these models are to consider.
Conclusion and summary |
The HP cd-writer 9710i cost rather expensive taking into consideration that the similar Yamaha CRW2100E is much cheaper. Nevertheless, the HP's drive will be a good choice for people who prefers everything from brand companies. Besides, the CD-RW drive ships with a large set of programs and with a device for creation of discs with your own logo. Moreover, the Hewlett Packard is always backed with a 1-year warranty.
The HP 9710i and Yamaha 2100E are not leaders in recording and rewriting of discs, but they read them just excellently. However, you will have to take easy the noise and vibration they are producing during their work.
As for the Yamaha CRW2100E, I must admit that the last firmware version greatly improved it. But isn't it too late? Today there are such drives as TEAC CD-W516E, NEC NR7800A and soon the Mitsumi CR4808TE will appear. Each of them have similar characteristics and has a close price tag!
If you are planning to buy one of these drives then be sure to read these reviews first.
But for the real CD Freaks these reviews will be pretty useless as it doesn't test on of the most important things, how do they perform when you want to backup a protected CD ?
Source: Digit-life
