FREMONT, Calif. - November 18, 2002 - Plextor today announced the availability of the PlexWriter 24/10/24U CD-RW drive.  The PlexWriter 24/10/24U is lightweight and compact - almost pocketsize - and connects via Hi-Speed USB to laptop and desktop computers (PC or Mac). The high-performance drive features 24X CD-Write, 10X CD-Rewrite, and 24X-max CD-Read, making it one of the fastest portable CD-RW drives available on the market today. The PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive measures 5.55-inches by .87-inches by 6.73-inches, and weighs less than one pound.

"This second-generation ultra portable PlexWriter is not only faster, but also weighs less than our first-generation portable drive," said Howard Wing, vice president of sales and marketing for Plextor. "External USB drives like the PlexWriter 24/10/24U have enabled new applications for end users. For example, households with multiple PCs can use a single portable PlexWriter to share files and create CDs from any system. School teachers also love portable PlexWriter drives because they can easily carry them from classroom to classroom, and use them across multiple computers, both PC and Macintosh."

The PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive features the Hi-Speed Universal Serial Bus interface, making installation faster and easier than ever before. It is Plug & Play compatible with Windows 98SE/ME/XP, as well as MAC OS 8.6 (USB 1.1) and MAC OS X (USB 2.0). The 3-in-1 PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive reads, writes, and rewrites compact discs at a wide variety of speeds. The drive features a 2MB data buffer and Digital Audio Extraction rates to a maximum of 24X. Burst data transfer rates are 480 Mb/sec (USB 2.0) or 12 Mb/sec (USB 1.1). The drive supports a wide variety of CD writing modes, including Track-at-Once, Disc-at-Once, Session-at-Once, Multisession, and variable/fixed packet writing.

Buffer Under-Run Proof Ensures CD-Recording Quality

The portable PlexWriter 24/10/24U features Buffer Under-Run Proof technology. Using a slow source drive or attempting to perform multiple tasks while recording a CD can lead to buffer underrun errors that render the disc unusable. Buffer Under-Run Proof technology prevents buffer underrun errors, so end-users can multi-task by sending email or surfing the Web while recording a high-quality CD.

Pricing and Availability

The new PlexWriter 24/10/24U drive with Hi-Speed USB interface is scheduled for immediate shipment to distributors and resellers with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $199 USD. All retail packages include unlimited toll-free technical support and one-year full warranty.