52X Burners

CD-RW drives get another speed bump just in time for the holidays. The latest drives from CenDyne and Memorex cross a new threshold, offering 52X write and read speeds. But while both drives offer modest performance gains over their 48X predecessors, we can't help but wonder if the extra speed is worth the upgrade. Also, neither drive offers much in the way of documentation or bonus applications. On the plus side, however, both drives can be had for less than $100 online. So if you know your way around a drive and don't require any hand-holding, one of these drives may fit the bill--especially if you're looking to replace a much slower drive.

CenDyne Lightning 52x24x52

With the release of its next-generation Lightning V CD-RW drive, CenDyne manages to stay one step ahead of the competition. And although it delivers only a slight increase in performance over the fastest 48X drives, its sub-$100 street price makes even the small speed bump a good deal. But like the Lightning IV before it, this drive includes bare-bones documentation and zero extra features. If you know your way around a drive, the spartan setup won't bother you, but hardware newbies should consider a product with friendlier setup documentation.

Memorex 52x24x52

Memorex's latest internal CD-ReWritable drive writes and reads at 52X, the current speed threshold for CD-RW drives. And while it offers only slightly faster performance than some of the 48X drives we've tested, its low price makes it a viable option if you're looking to upgrade from a much slower drive. Ultimately, however, we prefer the 52X CenDyne Lightning V, a similar bare-bones drive that offers better performance and tech support.

(Review from ZD Net)