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What to look for in removable storage

By CNET Staff
Jul 08, 2004

What to look for  in removable storage
Our experts explain the specs that matter.
 
  Removable storage specs

What to look for
 
  • Device type and formats supported

  • Maximum formatted capacity

  • Write speed

  • Rewrite speed

  • Read speed

  • Enclosure

  • Interface

  • Software

  • Warranty and support
     
    		•
    		 
    Device type and formats supported
    The floppy drive is dead. Its successor, the CD-RW (CD-recordable/rewritable) drive, reads standard CD-ROMs and lets you write to 530MB CD-RWs as you would to a hard disk. Or, if your prefer, you can write in sessions to cheaper 650MB CD-Rs, which, unlike CD-RWs, can be read by almost all CD and CD-ROM players. Those who need greater storage capacity have four DVD-drive options, all of which can play standard DVDs: DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RAM. The first three formats are suitable for both archival purposes and distribution but vary in terms of cost, capacity, capabilities (DVD-Rs are writable only once), and compatibility with standard DVD players. DVD-RAM drives, which use discs in compact cartridges that can't easily be played in other DVD players, are really for archival purposes only.
     

     

     
    Maximum formatted capacity »

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