Compact, lightweight design for portability

Buffalo Technology has taken the wraps off their new, sleek black portable MediaStation 8x DVD Multidrive, an entirely bus-powered external superdrive that features easy plug-and-play use and a two-year warranty. The drive can handle dual-layer DVD+/-R and RW (and 6x max speed rather than 8x for single-layer) and 24x speed for CD-R and CD-RW discs. Measuring 5.7 inches by 6 inches by .75 inches, the device isn't much bigger than the disks it burns, and the unit weighs only 11 ounces for easy portability.

The unit features LED lights to let users know its status, with blue indicating readiness and red indicating the USB supplied power is too low (the unit comes with two USB plugs to provide sufficient power). It's maximum power consumption is rated at 7.5 watts, and the company indicates it should work with the standard 500mA power supplied by USB ports in most computer models (the 2008/2009 "original design" MacBook Airs excluded) running either Windows XP or later or Mac OS X 10.6 or higher. The unit comes with the company's CyberLink Media Suite. Official retail pricing lists for $55, but discounters such as Amazon are selling the unit for $50. The DVSM-PN58U2VB is also available in white.

By Electronista Staff