X-bit labs

6 Combo-Drives (CD-RW + DVD-ROM) Roundup

Category: Storage

by Andrey Kuznetcov

[ 07/02/2003 | 01:13 AM ]

Optical combo-drives combining the capabilities of CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives are very popular today. Their advantages are numerous. But what are the drawbacks? Our roundup for 6 most widely spread solutions will help you to make the best choice.

Table of contents:

• CD-RW Plus DVD-ROM Drives Specifications
  
• LG GCC-4480B
  
• LG GCC-4320B
  
• Philips PBC03210G
  
• Samsung SM-348B
  
• Toshiba SD-R1202
  
• Toshiba SD-R1312
  
• Testbed and Methods
  
• Informational Utilities
  
• LG GCC-4480B
  
• LG GCC-4320B
  
• Philips PBC03210G
  
• Samsung SM-348B
  
• Toshiba SD-R1202
  
• Toshiba SD-R1312
  
• Performance in CD Winbench 99
  
• Performance in Nero CD Speed
  
• Basic Tests (Graphs)
  
• Basic Tests (Diagrams)
  
• Quality Check
  
• Overburning Test
  
• Advanced DAE Quality Test
  
• Nero CD DAE
  
• Performance in CDRom Drive Analyzer
  
• Performance in CDVD Benchmark
  
• Performance in Nero DVD Speed
  
• Performance in SiSoft Sandra Standard
  
• Performance in Nero InCD
  
• Performance in Nero Burning Rom
  
• Conclusion
  
• LG GCC-4480B
  
• LG GCC-4320B
  
• Philips PBC03210G
  
• Samsung SM-348B
  
• Toshiba SD-R1202
  
• Toshiba SD-R1312
  

Our today’s review is written especially for those people who are into “combining”. Among optical drives available in the market, combo-ones look most appealing. We mean devices that combine the capabilities of CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives. The advantages are numerous. First, one five-inch bay of the chassis is left free. In some computer cases the number of these bays is limited to two or three. Or, sometimes, you cannot install a second 5”-device because it runs into the mainboard. Meanwhile, there is a lot of equipment ready to be mounted into this bay: optical drives, Live Drive modules and various I/O and informational panels.

Second, if you buy a CD-RW (CD-ROM) and a DVD-ROM separately, you will have to count out more monetary units than if you were purchasing one combo-drive. Today, the combo-drive costs about $70, while independently these two devices cost $60 (DVD-ROM) and $50 (CD-ROM). So, that’s a point to consider if you are going to buy a new computer. Of course, it would be even better to buy a super-combo that could burn DVD media too. But so far such devices are priced rather high and many users find them unaffordable. This situation may change in the future and such combos will surely become popular. But this is another story.

Our today’s story is about six drives that combine CD-RW and DVD-ROM functions.

CD-RW Plus DVD-ROM Drives Specifications

The basic specifications of CD-RW + DVD-ROM combo-drives look as follows: