- High-speed external CD-R/RW drive
- Supports USB 2.0 for enhanced data transfer
- Burn an 80-minute audio CD in under 5 minutes
- Iomega HotBurn software allows drag-and-drop CD copying
- Buffer under-run protection prevents useless "coaster" CDs
Technical Details
Product Details
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Product Description
Amazon.com Review
Designed for computer users who need the portability and convenience of a standalone CD recorder and player, the Iomega external 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW drive offers satisfactory performance, rugged styling, and colorful good looks. It isn't quite as fast as an equivalently rated internal CD-RW drive, nor is it completely free of the teething pains surrounding the new USB 2.0 technology. But for situations where a built-in CD-RW is either impractical or impossible--notebook computers are a prime example--the Iomega external 16x10x40 is a versatile and cost-effective solution.
Sporting a unique dark purple color scheme and a large and curvy 10-by-7-by-2-inch profile, the unit makes a dramatic visual impression. But more importantly, it easily adapts to almost any computing environment. To connect it to your PC, Mac, or notebook, you merely install its software driver, run its three-foot data cable into any available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port, and plug its power cord into an AC outlet. The computer will recognize it as a standard drive and assign it the next available letter in your drive chain. Alternately, you may use the device strictly for audio CD playback by forgoing the USB cable and connecting the included audio cables directly to your sound card's inputs.
To burn data or audio discs, we utilized the included version of Iomega's HotBurn, a basic CD-writing utility designed to appeal to those who value ease-of-use over advanced operations. Although HotBurn offers a rookie-friendly interface, convenient drag-and-drop file transfers, and basic functions such as audio/data burning and CD-label creation, we couldn't perform complex procedures such as WAV file editing or volume normalization.
In action, the Iomega external 16x10x40 runs as quietly as most internal drives and continues to record and play smoothly even when being severely bounced about. It is important to remember, however, that the unit operates only as fast as your computer setup will allow. When connected via a traditional USB 1.1 port, it functions at a relatively sluggish 4x write speed, 4x rewrite speed, and 6x read speed. But when connected to a USB 2.0-capable system, those figures jump dramatically. Although our tests indicated that Iomega's claim of 16x write, 10x rewrite, and 40x read USB 2.0 performance seemed somewhat exaggerated in real-world scenarios, the unit generally performed at double to triple its USB 1.1 speed when linked to a USB 2.0 port. Not quite what we had hoped for, but impressive speeds for an external CD burner nevertheless.
What if your system doesn't support USB 2.0? You have a few options, including utilizing your slower USB 1.1 ports, swapping your motherboard for one with integrated USB 2.0 capability, or purchasing a separate USB 2.0 adapter card. The latter may make the most financial sense for many users, as multiport USB 2.0 adapter cards are readily available for a fraction of the cost of a state-of-the-art USB 2.0 motherboard.
Yet no matter which connection you choose, this and all USB 2.0 devices are susceptible to the quirks of the new technology. Microsoft, for example, opted to exclude USB 2.0 support from its original boxed copies of Windows XP, and therefore forces users to search its site for newly developed software drivers. Similarly, as we discovered during testing, some motherboard chipsets aren't particularly friendly to multiple USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices. Fortunately, Iomega's toll-free support line offers plenty of helpful one-on-one advice.
Though it seems slightly slower and a bit more prone to connectivity quirks than an equivalently rated internal CD-RW device, the Iomega external 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW drive is nevertheless a strong option for environments that require a standalone CD burner/player. --Gordon Goble
Pros:
- Rugged design
- Futuristic style
- Perfect for computers that can't handle an internal CD device
- USB 2.0 connection substantially faster than a USB 1.1 CD burner
- Not quite as fast as its performance ratings would indicate
- Not completely immune to some USB 2.0 teething pains
- Requires a USB 2.0 connection to function at top speeds
Product Description
Amazon.com Review
Designed for computer users who need the portability and convenience of a standalone CD recorder and player, the Iomega external 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW drive offers satisfactory performance, rugged styling, and colorful good looks. It isn't quite as fast as an equivalently rated internal CD-RW drive, nor is it completely free of the teething pains surrounding the new USB 2.0 technology. But for situations where a built-in CD-RW is either impractical or impossible--notebook computers are a prime example--the Iomega external 16x10x40 is a versatile and cost-effective solution.
Sporting a unique dark purple color scheme and a large and curvy 10-by-7-by-2-inch profile, the unit makes a dramatic visual impression. But more importantly, it easily adapts to almost any computing environment. To connect it to your PC, Mac, or notebook, you merely install its software driver, run its three-foot data cable into any available USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port, and plug its power cord into an AC outlet. The computer will recognize it as a standard drive and assign it the next available letter in your drive chain. Alternately, you may use the device strictly for audio CD playback by forgoing the USB cable and connecting the included audio cables directly to your sound card's inputs.
To burn data or audio discs, we utilized the included version of Iomega's HotBurn, a basic CD-writing utility designed to appeal to those who value ease-of-use over advanced operations. Although HotBurn offers a rookie-friendly interface, convenient drag-and-drop file transfers, and basic functions such as audio/data burning and CD-label creation, we couldn't perform complex procedures such as WAV file editing or volume normalization.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm Glad I Bought It!,
This review is from: Iomega External 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW Drive (Personal Computers)
And I'm glad that I didn't allow the negative reviews here to discourage me from buying it. I've burned several data disks (digital photography is a hobby), and I've also created some music disks.Has it been smooth from the beginning? No, because I didn't follow the instructions for installation. I contacted Iomega, and they sent me an e-mail with instructions for correcting the problems. They also included a link to their website so I could download the most current version of their software. After reading the instructions, I found that it was easy to use, and I'm very pleased with the results. Note that I'm not a techno-geek. If you don't have a brand new computer, your USB ports are probably USB 1.1. You'll have to buy a USB 2.0 card to get full use from this drive.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A reliable CD burner,
By
This review is from: Iomega External 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW Drive (Personal Computers)
I do not use this drive with a USB 2.0 port; I've just plugged it into the "old fashioned" USB in the back of my computer. It's the second CD burner I've gotten in the recent past, the first (by Archos) worked only sporadically, and driver problems which the manufacturer could not resolve jammed up my computer's operating system (Windows 98 SE). The Iomega burner, by contrast, connected without a problem to my computer and has worked reliably since. I use it to burn audio CDs, store images, and back up the computer. It performs admirably and (despite the fact that I'm not using the super-fast USB 2.0 connection) quickly in all of these areas. I give it four stars because of the Iomega Hot Burn software which comes in the package -- although I haven't tried to use this software, I read a few reviews of it and concluded that it's too limited to be useful. Instead, I installed Roxio's Easy CD Creator which works fine (the version I installed, Easy CD Crator Platinum 5.0, did not immediately recognize the hardware, but an upgrade from the Roxio website quickly solved that problem).
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great, Beats All Others I've Tried,
By "thepantslessraider" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Iomega External 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW Drive (Personal Computers)
As far as External Burners go, this is the best one I've seen. I previously had a Philips burner with so many problems that it took 5 years off of my life. I also bought a Plextor drive that wouldn't even work. However, this burner is so free from problems and fast that I have nothing bad to say about it. Do make sure that your computer is equipped with USB 2.0 though, or else you won't be able to get the 16X speed. For laptop users, I recommend a PCMCIA USB 2.0 Card. The software enclosed with the burner will do the basic stuff, however it doesn't have any bells and whistles with it. I would recommend using the ultra-popular Easy CD Creator or the registered version of MusicMatch Jukebox, with its great Volume Leveller feature. However, this burner will certainly keep you happy and sane, unlike many others.
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