Designed for computer users who need the portability and convenience of a stand-alone CD recorder and player, the Iomega External 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW Drive offers satisfactory performance, rugged styling and colourful good looks. It isnt quite as fast as an equivalently rated internal CD-RW drive, nor is it completely free of the teething pains surrounding the new USB 2.0 technology. But for situations where a built-in CD-RW is either impractical or impossible--notebook computers are a prime example--the Iomega External 16x10x40 is a versatile and cost-effective solution. Sporting a unique dark-purple colour scheme and a large and curvy 10 by 7 by 2-inch profile, the unit makes a dramatic visual impression. But more importantly, it easily adapts to almost any computing environment. To connect it to your PC, Mac, or notebook, you merely install its software driver, run its 3-foot data cable into any available USB or USB 2.0 port and plug its power cord into an AC outlet. The computer will recognise it as a standard drive and assign it the next available letter in your drive chain. Alternately, you may use the device strictly for audio-CD playback by forgoing the USB cable and connecting the included audio cables directly to your sound cards inputs.
To burn data or audio discs, the enclosed version of Iomegas HotBurn can be utilised, a basic CD writing utility designed to appeal to those who value ease of use over advanced operations. Although HotBurn offers a rookie-friendly interface, convenient drag-and-drop file transfers and basic functions such as audio/data burning and CD-label creation, complex procedures such as wave-file editing or volume normalization are difficult to perform.
In action, the Iomega External 16x10x40 runs as quietly as most internal drives and continues to record and play smoothly even when being severely bounced about. It is important to remember, however, that the unit operates only as fast as your computer setup will allow. When connected via a traditional USB port, it functions at a relatively sluggish 4x-speed (write), 4x-speed (re-write) and 6x-speed (read). But when connected to a USB 2.0-capable system, those figures jump dramatically. Although Iomegas claim of 16x (write), 10x (re-write) and 40x (read) USB 2.0 performance seem somewhat exaggerated in real-world scenarios, the unit generally performs at double to triple its USB speed when linked to a USB 2.0 port--impressive speeds for an external CD burner.
What if your system doesnt support USB 2.0? You have a few options, including utilising your slower USB ports, swapping your motherboard for one with integrated USB 2.0 capability, or utilising a separate USB 2.0 adapter card. For a limited time this drive comes with a free USB 2.0 adapter card, which plugs into a free PCI port in your PC. Yet no matter which connection you choose, this and all USB 2.0 devices are susceptible to the quirks of the new technology. Microsoft, for example, opted to exclude USB 2.0 support from its original boxed copies of Windows XP, and therefore forces users to search its site for newly developed software drivers. Similarly, as we discovered during testing, some motherboard chipsets arent particularly friendly to multiple USB and USB 2.0 devices.
Though it seems slightly slower and a bit more prone to connectivity quirks than an equivalently rated internal CD-RW device, the Iomega External 16x10x40 USB 2.0 CD-RW Drive is nevertheless a strong option for environments that require a stand-alone CD player/burner. --Gordon Goble
I was looking foreword to installing this Philips PCRW4816K/20 Series 48x16X48X CDRW as I installed a Philips 400 Series 4X4X32X on another computer some years ago. It was probably the easiest internal computer component I have had the pleasure of installing, the instructions were 2nd to none. I opt.. 
These are really some top-notch audio CD-Rs. I had no problems at all writing or playing, even on CD players that could not read, or could not read very well, other audio CDs I had burned. The 80 minutes is as long as you’re going to find, and 10 high quality cds of this length for £7.99 is n.. 
This Iomega CD-RW is the second CD-RW ive had in a year, and is by far the best. Very simple to set up and use, burns cds fast, even faster with a usb 2.0 connection, definatley recommended. One of the best external CD-RW out for the price, looks pretty cool too. If you want an external CD-RW buy th.. 
My CD rewriter is old and non-BURN proof so I need CDRs upon which I can rely.
I purchased this CD-RW and experienced similar problems to everyone else reguarding the installing process. There are indeed no USB 1 drivers on the supplied disk, as mentioned by another reviewing customer. (Thank goodness it wasnt just me!) I was on the verge of sending it back for that very reaso..