Asus CRW-4012A
Swift drive zips through our CD-RW packet writing and digital audio extraction tests.
Alexandra Krasne
WHAT'S HOT: Asus's $75 CRW-4012A puts standard audio CD controls within easy reach, with play, fast-forward, and stop buttons on the front.
WHAT'S NOT: Asus offers 11.5 hours of weekday support, but you've got to foot the bill for the phone call.
WHAT ELSE: The CRW-4012A was an adequate performer on our CD-R tests, taking 3 minutes, 27 seconds to write 650MB to CD-R on the fly--25 percent slower than our fastest drives, including Pacific Digital's Mach 48. The drive excelled in our digital audio extraction task; it completed the test only a few seconds slower than the fastest drive, Sony's CRX195A1. This model ships with Ahead Nero Burning ROM 5.5 and InCD 3.23 for CD mastering and packet writing, respectively.
UPSHOT: The CRW-4012A is a good all-around performer with a low price. Other vendors provide slightly better support options, however.
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