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

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By Melissa J. Perenson

(IDG) -- This month, 20X and 24X drives dominate the CD-RW marketplace, while 16X drives serve as entry-level models. Speedy performance results and daily tech support hours help TDK's $145 24/10/40 VeloCD ReWriter hold on to the number one spot. Nevertheless, coming up strong in second place is Samsung's $85 SW-216, an inexpensive 16X/10X/32X model that ranks as one of the fastest 16X drives we've seen. Two 24X models debut on the chart: Teac's $130 CD-W524E and Sony's $150 CRX175A/A1. The Sony drive is one of the few to include software for backing up data.

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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. Samsung SW-216: One of the least-expensive drives on the market, Samsung's 16X drive features strong performance at a bargain price.
3. CenDyne Lightning 24x10x40: The CenDyne Lightning 24x10x40 lives up to its name with excellent performance across the board.
4. 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.
5. LG Electronics GCE-8160B: The unit's low price and the vendor's reputation for reliability make the GCE-8160B a solid choice.
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. 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.
8. QPS Que Internal 24x10x40x CD-RW: The QPS Que Internal 24x10x40x CD-RW is a speedy choice for a reasonable price.
9. 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.
10. Yamaha LightSpeed CRW2200EZ: The Yamaha LightSpeed CRW2200EZ packages great performance with an uncommonly strong software bundle.