Ricoh MediaMaster MP7083A

WHAT'S HOT:

For little more than the price of a low-cost 8X/4X/32X drive, Ricoh's MP7083A 8X/8X/32X drive gives you double the CD-RW write speed. The solidly built MP7083A is also an excellent all-around performer, turning in the sixth-fastest audio extraction time we've seen to date--3 minutes flat--and the eighth-fastest time installing Microsoft Office 2000.

WHAT'S NOT: Though a one-time-only annoyance, the software installation routine requires you to run the installation program twice: once to install the Prassi PrimoCD mastering software, and a second time to install the same company's abCD packet-writing software. PrimoCD's HTML help file lacks an index.

WHAT ELSE: The MP7083A comes with an industry-standard one-year warranty. Ricoh provides toll-free support for 15 hours on weekdays plus 9 hours on Saturdays.

BEST USE: This Ricoh model provides an excellent blend of CD-R/CD-RW write performance and CD read performance for the budget-minded user.

SUMMARY

Ricoh MediaMaster MP7083A IDE, internal, 8X/8X/32X, 2MB buffer, CD-mastering and packet-writing software; one-year warranty, toll-free support for 15 hours on weekdays and 9 hours on Saturdays. $179 877/742-6479 www.ricohdms.com