CD Burner
A guide to CD drives
A CD burner or CD writer is an optical disc drive that reads and writes data using lasers or electromagnetic waves. A CD-R disc is recordable but not rewritable. It has a layer of organic dye that the writer "burns" with a laser to alter the dye's reflectivity, leaving readable, but not erasable, marks. A CD-RW disc is both recordable and rewritable and uses a crystalline metal alloy that is melted by the laser into an amorphous form, which means the alloy's atoms go from a crystalline, definite geometric shape to an indefinite, amorphous shape that can melt at several different temperatures; this process can create a range of reflective markings. Are you confused? Read on and we'll try to clear things up a bit more.
Most computers now come already equipped with CD-RW drives, though these can also burn to recordable but non-rewritable media. CD burners can be used to write both music CDs and data CDs. If your computer does not come equipped with a CD-RW drive, one can be purchased separately. An internal drive requires opening up your computer in order to install it yourself, or paying the price to have a professional do it for you. An external drive is also an option that is easier to install and can be transferred from computer to computer. Like an external hard drive, it can use USB or FireWire connecters to attach to your PC or to a SCSI interface.
Another factor to consider in shopping is speed; CD-R drives are marked with two numbers, representing the writing and reading speeds, while CD-RW drives display three numbers, indicating the writing, reading and rewriting speeds. Naturally, the higher the number, the quicker you can burn, rewrite and read CDs.
Must-Have Features
- A high speed rating; the faster the drive, the quicker you can read and write CDs.
- A large buffer; this decreases the chance of damaging a CD and allows your computer to perform other tasks while still writing to CDs.
- A CD burner with DVD-ROM readability is a good investment, especially for laptops and systems with few drive bays.
Major Considerations
- Is an external or an internal drive better suited to my needs?
- What interface is compatible with my computer?
- Is speed or affordability more important to me?
- Are recordable CD-R discs or rewritable CD-RW discs best suited to my storage use?
Top Manufacturers
- ASUS
- MSI
- Lite-On
- HP
- Sony
Common Accessories or Add-Ons
- Writable CDs (CD-R)
- Rewritable CDs (CD-RW)
Price Range
CD writers for home use can usually be found for under $200, but can go as low as $25. Writable CD-R CDs usually cost around a dollar each, while rewritable CD-RW discs cost significantly more - $10 to $20. However, due to their ability to be reused up to 1,000 times, the extra cost is often worthwhile.
Summary
Writable CDs are replacing floppies as efficient and convenient storage, and a CD burner has become a stable of any computer system. Fortunately, with their increasing popularity, CD writers and blank discs can be found at reasonable prices and in a multitude of forms to fit every individual's budget and needs.
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