Plextor PlexWriter 12/4/32 SCSI

WHAT'S HOT: When writing to CD-R, the silver-and-aqua-hued external PlexWriter 12/4/32 SCSI drive is even faster than its internal sibling, which we reviewed in March. It wrote a 430MB image file in only 4 minutes, 57 seconds, and it took a mere 5 minutes, 41 seconds to write the same 430MB on the fly. Our review unit came with Adaptec's Easy CD Creator 3.5, as well as DirectCD 2.5 for packet writing. Plextor's AudioFS driver allows you to extract digital audio transparently via the standard Windows interface, and the company's CD-ResQ disaster-recovery software is also included with this model. (It's a $35 option with some other models.)

WHAT'S NOT: Like the internal model, the external 12/4/32 fared poorly in our rewrite tests. The write times were fine, but the initial overwrites after a reboot with DirectCD 2.5 took more than twice as long as the original write operations. However, when we tested the drive with Prassi's abCD (not included with the product), the overwrite times were only a few seconds longer than the original copy operations. Add the cost of a SCSI controller to the PlexWriter's already steep $450 street price if you don't own one.

WHAT ELSE: Plextor offers a one-year warranty, as well as toll-free tech support for 11 hours on weekdays.

BEST USE: The stylish external PlexWriter 12/4/32 is a great drive for power users who want SCSI and who write lots of CD-R discs. Its fashionable styling is a plus.

SUMMARY

Plextor PlexWriter 12/4/32 SCSI SCSI, internal, 12X/4X/32X, 4MB buffer, CD-mastering and packet-writing software, Windows digital audio extraction drivers, disaster-recovery software, one-year warranty, toll-free support for 11 hours on weekdays. $450 888/675-3986 www.plextor.com