Plextor PX-712UF

Plextor's latest DVD rewriter is based on the PX-712A. In fact it's the same drive but in its own case with FireWire and USB sockets on the back for connecting to a PC.

Like most external disc burners, it's much bigger than the equivalent internal drive, but it's still relatively compact and it looks OK on a desk, even if the silver styling doesn't really fit in with the beige or black of most current PCs.

It's a 12x drive, making it potentially one of the fastest around. Installation is so easy that the quick install guide is unnecessary; simply plug the drive into the mains and PC and switch it on. If you can find 12x discs on which to burn, the drive will burn a whole disc in around five minutes, but these discs are very hard to come by at the moment.

On slower media it still performed well, burning at very close to the maximum rate stated on the disc. In addition to DVD+R at 12x and DVD-R at 8x it will burn both types of rewritable disc at 4x and CD-Rs at 48x.

It won't handle dual-layer DVDs, which store twice as much as normal discs, and this is something Plextor will have to look at in future releases.

Although it is quick (if you can find the discs), a better deal can be had from other manufacturers.

Contact: Plextor (no UK number)
www.plextor.be