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 | Title : Iomega 31119 Predator 4x4x6 External USB CD-RW Drive
Author : Iomega
Release Date :
Binding : Electronics
Regular Price : $169.99
Amazon.com Price : $159.99
( 6
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Editorial Reviews :
Featuring an ultra-thin top-loading design, the Iomega Predator 4x4x6 External USB CD-RW Drive offers the convenience of hot-swapping with PCs, Macs, or laptops. The Predator utilizes a fast USB interface with FireWire and PCMCIA coming out in Spring 2001. The drive reads up to 6x, writes at 4x, and rewrites at 4x. Utilizing a 2 MB buffer memory, the Predator has quick disk access times of only 125 milliseconds. It is capable of disc-at-once, fixed and variable packet writing, multi-session, and track-at-once methods.
The Predator is compatible with both PC and Macintosh computers. System requirements for the PC include a Pentium 166 or higher processor, Windows 98, 98 SE, 2000, or Me operating systems, 110 MB hard disk space, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later or Netscape Navigator 4.5 or later. For the Mac, requirements include a G4, G3 (blue and white G3 only), or iMac computer, OS 8.6, 9.0, 9.03, or 9.04 operating systems, 98 MB hard disk space, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later or Netscape Navigator 4.5 or later.
The Predator comes with Iomega CD-RW software, quick install disc, a blank CD-R disc, a blank CD-RW disc, USB cable, USB adapter, audio cable, and an AC adapter. It comes with an abundance of software titles including: (for the PC) Adaptec DirectCD 3.0, Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4.0, Adobe ActiveShare, Iomega Quik Sync 2 30-day trial version, MusicMatch Jukebox Plus; (for the Mac) Adaptec Toast 4.1.1, and MGI PhotoSuite.
Iomega provides a one-year parts and labor warranty on the Predator 4x4x6 External USB CD-RW Drive.
Buyer Reviews :
Let me preface this review with an explanation of what machines I'm using it with: first, Compaq Armada 3500 notebook running Win 98; and a self-built Athlon 550 mhz running Win98. System requirements were secure.
I bought this drive even after reading the mixed reviews because
1) I don't do much CD-R recording, and
2) I figured most negative reviews were the result of incorrect installation and/or use of the drive.
I was wrong.
First, if you're looking for drag-and-drop functionality with this, be prepared to lose 167 MB out of 650 or 700 MB to Adaptec's DirectCD formatting. I called Iomega about the ridiculousness of that, but they admitted that's the way it is, and, what's more, you only get 533 MB out of a disc, whether it's 700 MB or 650!
More lunacy followed when I tried an end-around DirectCD by using Adaptec's included EasyCD Creator as per Iomega's tech support prescription. I had to manually 'end-task' DirectCD to get rid of it, after which EasyCD Creator *still* said DirectCD was interfering. After several more rounds of trying combinations and reboots, I gave up and just resigned myself to 533 MB per my PNY 700 MB discs.
Finally, be aware that the Predator is very finicky about other appliances using a secondary USB port while it's plugged in. I had to disconnect my Nomad Jukebox (which catalog I was trying to archive onto disc using the Predator), then reboot and hope the Iomega didn't freeze. When that happens, the drive becomes impervious to both software and hardware commands (e.g. the eject button), and crashes the system because of a disk error that Windows can't handle. Any files that DirectCD thought were still 'open' *will* be lost. Hope you had back-ups.
The design looks good, I'll admit, but the USB version requires the use of a funky, clunky add-on unit which plugs into the back of the drive and to which you connect both the power and USB cables. The connection from this unit to the drive is tentative at best, and should not be moved lest you experience even more problems than you're already going to.
All in all, some got this drive to work, but remember: I didn't even bother with write-once CD-Rs. I hesitate to imagine buying hundreds of discs to replace the ruined ones. At least with CD-RWs I can try again. Good looks, bad drive. There are better choices. Choose wisely.
(by Tyson Torres)
Features/Technical Specs :
* External, ultra-thin, top-loading CD-RW drive for PC and Macintosh
* USB interface using included adapter
* Hot swappable with PC or Macintosh
* Drive speeds of 4x4x6
* Compatible with Windows 98, 98 SE, 2000, or Me, or Mac OS 8.6, 9.0, 9.03, or 9.04
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