Plextor PX-708A: 8x/4x/12x DVD+RW, 4x/2x/12x DVD-RW, 40x/24x/40x CD-RW Burner with Roxio Software (Plextor-PX708ASW)

• Reviewed by: Poseidonas

  Strengths: Unique Plextor features (read specs on website), excellent reliability, quiet, not a single coaster after ~200 burns

  Weaknesses: NERO not included, but Roxio/Sonic instead. Not a big deal if you already own Nero like myself.

  Overall: Plextor is still the king :) Not a single coaster yet, and that is while on the internet downloading a file, while playing Dungeon Siege, and McAfee I.S. suite running 100%, plus BOINC (SETI@Home) doing analysis in the background. You can see when there was a buffer-underrun by the color of the blinking light - but BURN-Proof works flawlessly. Add the fact that a 40x CD-Audio disc is the exact same quality as one burned at 2x (PoweRec...adjust laser beam strength automatically) - and that it's a Plextor invention, you got a burner that'll do everything you will desire. You'll never be disappointed! (My 12x CDRW Plextor has done over 800 CD's ~~not a single coaster!). One more thing - the quality of the burn has never been anything less than fantastic, and it plays in every drive I ever placed discs into (friend's & family's devices (car, home, PC) ).

• Reviewed by: bochba

  Strengths: (when it works) burn speed

  Weaknesses: reliability

  Overall: I had been happly burning DVD's when one day a burn took over an hour, then the second burn errored out after 30 min. Plextor says check DMA, and use good media. I used Plextors own Media that was included, bought more Maxell and TDK Checked DMA, still the DVD burner burns at .9x to 1x. Plextor does not seem like they want repair the burner under warranty. I spent over $150 a few months back and looks like I will have to buy another brand. Several years ago I had a Plextor CDROM burner, and it failed, Plextor took care of me that time, I still have that drive.

• Reviewed by: rbcheck

  Strengths: Ez install and compatable with XP home. Software bundle works fine. Burns disc fast and accurate

  Weaknesses: Read time is long but as fast as any other.Roxio does not make exact copy of compressed DVD.

  Overall: I burned a compressed back up of a 6.7GB DVD to a 4.7 blank disc. REad time 20 minutes Burned in just over 8 minutes. An exact flawless copy. I own to many expensive DVD collections to have to worry about scratches ruining things. I paid twice as much for a Sony writer last year that is half as fast. It lasted just 2 months over the warranty date and made lots of coasters. My 15 year old Plextor CD rom still runs fine, I will not stray from Plextors reliability again.

• Reviewed by: flaherty

  Strengths: Absolutely does what it says.

  Weaknesses: Not a one.

  Overall: This is my 4th Plextor drive. These are the best CD/DVD drives on the market. Don't buy anything else. Haven't been disappointed yet. I no longer make coasters. Plextor is the tops in reliability. If you plan on burning to CD or DVD this is the drive for you.

• Reviewed by: jyoung2

  Strengths: Everything/Large DVD+R/W DVD-R/w compatability

  Weaknesses: Nothing.

  Overall: Have had absolutely no trouble with this drive from day 1. Burns on all media thrown at it, including cheap media as well as higher quality media. Works extremely well with Princo DVD-R and all DVD+R. My friend bought a liteon and since seeing my drive in action and burning the discs (quite a large range as well) that the liteon rejected, he has been regretting buying a cheaper brand and saving a few dollars. Don't let yourself go through the same despair. Get it right first time and buy yourself a Plextor. You won't regret it.