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QPS Portable USB CDR-W Review
QPS Portable USB CDR-W Review - PCSTATS
One thing you might not think about is that with traditional IDE CDRW's, if you are wise you will usually not do much of anything while burning off CD's.
Filed under: Optical Drives Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: QPS Jan 12 2001   D. Dee  
Home > Reviews > Optical Drives > QPS

QPS Portable USB CDR-W Review


Always on the hunt for cool toys to show you all. I came across a snazzy little USB CDRW. One of those backpack type units. I gotta say it now, QPS pulled no punches on the coolness factor. A carry bag holds all that is needed to run and play at a friends or associates and burn at will!! Why would one do such a thing? Well, depends on what kind of software the said individuals have you would want a copy of.

Not that I would condone the pirating of software. However, should one choose to do so, I would not hold them accountable either....he he. Anyhow, let's get on to the juicy stuff. Here is the manufacturer's spin on things as far as specs goes:

Features:

1x, 2x, and 4x Write
4x Rewrite
1x, 2x, 4x and 8x Read Speeds
Single/Multi-Session Photo-CD Compatible
650 MB Data-Storage Capacity
74-Min. Audio-Storage Capacity
Writing Speed: 600 KB/Sec. Data Transfer Rate (4x)
Rewrite Speed: 600 KB/Sec. Data Transfer Rate (4x)
Read Speed: 1,200 KB/Sec. Data Transfer Rate (8x)
135ms Average Access Time 2 MB Buffer Size
USB Interface High System Reliability Using Advanced CIRC Error Correction
Reads and Writes High Sierra, ISO 9660 and Audio Formats
Stereo Audio-Reproduction Function with Headphone Jack and Volume Control

CD-Mastering Software

Easy CD Creator for Windows
Direct CD for PC

Now while all this is very exciting, I must say I personally despise Easy CD Creator and for good reason. The install was shall we say, KICK ASS! 2 minutes in and done, now that is cool. Makes for easy mobile burning at those LAN parties. Now while the install was pure butter in a frying pan easy, I got "buffer underun" errors right off the bat. No worries, straight to my personal fav' Nero Burning ROM. No errors or issues whatsoever with that. Nero picked the burner up no problem, and I was off and running. Took about 15 min's, give or take a few seconds, to hammer off a full 630 MB CD full of some crap files. Not bad for a 4x burn.

One thing you might not think about is that with traditional IDE CDRW's, if you are wise you will usually not do much of anything while burning off CD's. The nice thing of having this baby shelled out to the USB is that you can still do minor tasks without choking the burn. I would still steer clear of running a butt load of programs.

Size could be a consideration on this little beast. On a desktop it will take up some acreage, not much, but noticeably bulky. I say bulky in a good way, this is one cool looking external. It's got the pseudo iMac thing going on, but a lot classier. Something definitely worth toting around and showing off to bud's.

Granted, this may not be the fastest burner. That is not the intent of the product or it's use. It was made for portability, ease of setup, and no frills CD creation and copying. And that is a job it does extremely well. I have never had an easier piece of hardware to install or use in quite some time. QPS gets props all the way around for a solid, well built, aesthetically pleasing unit. I had a great time burning off CD's, wiping them off, and burning again. I even toted it down to the ISP I play for just for grins and giggles, and it received a warm welcome. These guys don't get excited over much, but the thought of portable writing in such a cool package got them drooling right off.

The benchmarks were all as to be expected from the above specs, another plus for QPS. Most companies boast the hell out of a product, only to let us down in real world performance. I am only posting one part of the benches because I have yet to find a CD burning benchmark other than a stop watch. Keep in mind that this drive is rated for an 8x read, then take a look at the following scores....

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Contents of Article: QPS
 Pg 1.  — QPS Portable USB CDR-W Review
 Pg 2.  Test System Configuration

 
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