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

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By Melissa Perenson

(IDG) -- For more than a year, CD-RW write speeds have held steady at 10X, while CD-R speeds have nearly quadrupled. Our new number one, the TDK VeloCD 32/10/40 carries a 10X vendor rating. The Lite-On CD-ReWriter 32x12x40x -- in second place for the second month running -- and the new CenDyne Lightning II CD-RW 32x12x40 have upped the rewritable speed to 12X. Not all manufacturers are jumping on the 12X bandwagon just yet, however, since media is scarce.

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Also new this month is LG Electronics' GCE-8240B, which posted the fastest CD-R times by a 24X drive we've seen.

Top 10 CD-RW drives

1. TDK VeloCD 32/10/40: A fast CD-R writer, this model's quick digital audio extraction time and excellent software bundle make this a great choice for audio enthusiasts.
2. Lite-On CD-ReWriter 32x12x40x: This drive is fast and inexpensive, but slim tech support and lack of software may make other 32X drives more attractive.
3. TDK VeloCD 24/10/40: A speedy CD-R writer, the TDK VeloCD 24/10/40 is a great choice for digital audio lovers and data users alike. But for $20 more, you can step up to TDK?s 32X/10X/40X model.
4. LG Electronics GCE-8240B: This affordable drive is the fastest 24X/10X/40X model we've seen.
5. CenDyne Lightning II CD-RW 32x12x40: The Lightning II's performance is nearly identical to that of the second-ranked Lite-On drive. Choose the CenDyne if you want more than just a basic drive.
6. QPS Que Internal 32x10x40x CD-RW: Short support hours and a limited software bundle keep this drive from ranking higher.
7. Yamaha CRW3200 LightSpeed3: The LightSpeed3 lives up to its name as a drive that performs well overall, but it's pricey.
8. Sony CRX175M/C1: While this drive's price is steep, the built-in Memory Stick reader might be a useful add-on for some.
9. Teac CD-W524E: Its performance is a little sluggish compared with other offerings in its speed class, but the Teac CD-W524E comes with a solid array of software tools.
10. Plextor PlexWriter 24/10/40A: Plextor's drive is a bit sluggish compared with other drives in the same speed class; however, topflight digital audio extraction results and drivers for dragging and dropping individual audio tracks from a CD make this model a viable option if you like to make custom-mix audio CDs.