Review: TDK tops list of best 10 CD-RW drives

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By Melissa J. Perenson

(IDG) -- This month's chart is marked not by sizable price drops or new technologies, but by the triumph of 20X and 24X drives. Two 16X/10X/40X drives remain, but they now serve as inexpensive entry-level models; meanwhile, 20X and 24X models dominate the high-end. This month we tested three high-end newcomers, all of which earn spots on the chart.

TDK's 24/10/40 VeloCD ReWriter holds on to the number one spot. At $145, it's no longer the cheapest 24X drive out there; but TDK's daily technical support hours and strong software bundle keep it on top.

AOpen's new CRW2040 comes on strong to snag second place. This 20X/10X/40X model performed well on our CD-R and CD-RW write tests; and at $100, it's by far the cheapest 20X drive on the market. In contrast, Philips' PCRW2010 sells for $50 more; because Philips didn't cut its price this month, the PCRW2010 sank to fifth place. The key difference between it and the AOpen model: Philips backs its drive with better support and handholding through the installation process -- but that wasn't enough to make up for the price difference.

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Samsung's SW-216, which drops $15, retains the third spot. This 16X drive's $85 selling price and excellent performance (for its speed class) keep it in the upper echelon of drives. CenDyne's Lightning 24x10x40, a solid performer that sheds $20 (to $140), holds steady at number four.

Debuting in sixth place, Teac's CD-W524E, a 24X model priced at $130, is one of the few drives to feature the latest, basic version of Roxio's Easy CD Creator 5.1 software. Nevertheless, the drive lagged behind other 24X units on our CD-R write tests by about 20 seconds.

Sony's new CRX175A/A1 also makes the chart this month. An excellent performer across the board, this drive set a new record on our CD-R write tests, taking just 4 minutes 7 seconds to write our 650MB folder of files to a CD-R disc. Unfortunately, the drive's comparatively high price ($150) and imprecise documentation prevent it from climbing higher on our chart.

Top 10 CD-RW drives

1. TDK 24/10/40 VeloCD ReWriter: A speedy CD-R writer with top-flight performance results, the TDK 24/10/40 VeloCD ReWriter is a great choice for digital audio lovers and data users alike.
2. AOpen CRW 2040: A fast CD-R burner for its speed class, this drive's a bargain.
3. Samsung SW-216: One of the least-expensive drives on the market, Samsung's 16X drive features strong performance at a bargain price.
4. CenDyne Lightning 24x10x40: The CenDyne Lightning 24x10x40 lives up to its name with excellent performance across the board.
5. Philips PCRW2010: Delivering fast CD-R write speeds and application-installation times, this moderately priced drive is well suited to business use, and the maker's daily support hours make it attractive for weekend use at home.
6. Teac CD-W524E: Its performance is a little sluggish compared with other 16X offerings, but the Teac CD-W524E comes with a solid array of software tools.
7. LG Electronics GCE-8160B: The unit's low price and the vendor's reputation for reliability make the GCE-8160B a solid choice.
8. Lite-On 24x10x40x LTR-24102B: If you don't need hand-holding during installation or support after business hours, this speedy, inexpensive Lite-On model could meet your needs.
9. QPS Que Internal 24x10x40x CD-RW: The QPS Que Internal 24x10x40x CD-RW is a speedy choice for a reasonable price.
10. Sony CRX175A/A1: Top-notch CD-R/RW write performance and an excellent software bundle earn this drive a spot on our chart; the drive is held back only by its unclear documentation.