A growing trend in computing is efficiency. Faster computers and their contained peripherals are being decreased in size while being increased in power, speed and functionality. Take a look at the mini-systems that are being created that are about as big as your everyday toaster. These tiny computers usually come equipped with one 5 1/4" drive bay for an optical drive of some sort. Until about a couple years ago, you had the choice between a CD burner or a DVD-ROM drive. To some people, this would be a hard decision seeing that most people like to watch DVD's and like to burn there favorite music from time to time. And if there was a combo drive on the market at the time, the units themselves were very expensive and gained functionality lost performance across the board. Well, those days are no more. What I will be reviewing today is an excellent combo unit made by Samsung. From what I am told by the Samsung company officials, this combo drive is selling like hotcakes and you will see why further on in the review.
COMPANY PROFILE
Head Office Corporate Information
Samsung delivers management reform through New Management to maintain high international competitiveness. SAMSUNG is dedicated to contributing to mankind's quality of life. The year 2000 will be declared as the First year of Samsung Digital Management to speed up the digitization of all areas of management with an ultimate objective to become a leader in the digital age of the 21st century. Samsung has continuously improved its financial structure by increasing profits, reducing costs, and enhancing brand image. SAMSUNG's stability and development potential are universally recognized.
Canadian Corporate Information
After only a decade of growth since first entering the Canadian market in 1987, Samsung Canada, headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, has emerged as the market leader. We are growing in Canada by about 20% per year and continue to build a strong presence in every market we enter. Operating as part of Samsung's Americas group, our Canadian operations gain considerable competitive advantage from Samsung's local Americas R&D, manufacturing, and technical support. Samsung Electronics in Canada focuses on consumer electronics and information systems products. Consumer electronics began in Canada in 1987, followed by IS in 1992. The information sales division has grown 61% since 1992. Samsung has introduced a wide range of IS products into the Canadian market, which include hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, printers, fax machines and monitors enforcing its leading market position and fast year-over-year growth with a strong local presence and reseller network to serve Canadian consumers from coast to coast. Samsung is building a strong presence in Canada as it has all over the world.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Just what does Samsung say about their introduction to the DVD/CD-R combo market.
- x40 (CD read),x16 (DVD read),x32 (write),x12 (re-w)
- 8MB Buffer Memory (key feature)
- Prevents Buffer Under Run Error
- Reduces noise and vibration with DVA (Dynamic Vibration Absorber)
- Supports Mt. Rainier
- Supports DVD-R/RW formats read
- All in one form factor for less drive bay clutter
