HP HP DVD 300i DVD+RW Drive - internal IDE (retail) (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-Q2108A)

• Reviewed by: ThePengoose

  Strengths: Easy Setup, inexpensive, great support site.

  Weaknesses: Software included isn't that great, don't install unless you have to. Avoid RecordNow!!

  Overall: I have always bought/used HP burners and never had a problem. I bought the $99 DVD burner installed it and within an hour I was burning my first DVD. Before this drive I could not burner any CD-R/RW at full speed using XP. In the last six months I have burn countless music & data CDs and over 30 DVD movies...at full speed while running other applications. As of today I have not had one failed burn, lock-up while burning, or any CD/DVD that wouldn't read after burning. I suggest getting Nero v6 or higher and WinDVD instead of using the software that is included.

• Reviewed by: randytut

  Strengths: 1 - Free +R media and 1 - Free +RW media. Thorough documentation. Good bundle.

  Weaknesses: Drawer seems a bit noisy.

  Overall: You MUST remove all old CD Burning software (except windows MP). Once I did that, drive was a dream. DVD's played great on my Samsung DVD. Included authoring software and backup software was a pleasure to use.

• Reviewed by: bihosaleh

  Strengths: Good Speed

  Weaknesses: Software conflict with Windows XP causes hang ups and a real headache.

  Overall: If you enjoy debugging conflicts, this is a great gadget for you. I simply don't have that much time or enthusiasm to deal with this. This is definitely a return item.

• Reviewed by: forbesimages

  Strengths: cheap

  Weaknesses: lousy drivers. slow compared to other cheaper units elsewhere.

  Overall: HP drivers suck. Can lock up your system, etc. etc. Slow drive compared to cheaper NEC dual format drive. Although advertised as new, this was refurbished unit. Arrived in plain brown box. Finally got refund back from vendor, but drive is still sitting in my closet, waiting for him to retrieve. Really poor business practices for a ho-hum product. Buyer beware!!

• Reviewed by: KevinMcmaster

  Strengths: Great price, $99 Canadian (On Sale)Looks, Ok Speed, 1 DVD RW+ included in Box

  Weaknesses: No Problems

  Overall: Back-up's work great. I have a 2 Toshiba DVD players and they both can read the R+ and RW+ formats. The +RW is great for testing before burinig.This is a great DVD writer. I also used it as a CD burner (sold my CD burner)...No problems. I used Memorex DVD+R & VERBATIM - DataLifePlus 4.7GB DVD+R in Jewel Case media with no problems...Used HP+RW media for testing (came with Burner).