Archos MiniCDRW 2, the industry's fastest and first slimline 16X CD writer that is USB 2.0 compatible, has been introduced by Archos Technology. The unit is marketed as the easiest and most convenient way for users to record their own CDs for storing music, photos, videos and data files. The new 16X10X24X units feature USB 2.0 interfaces, which are 40 times faster than USB 1.1, making them the fastest CD burners on the market. Operationally, the writers can be used with both USB 2.0 and 1.1, albeit at the lower speed of 4X4X6X with USB 1.1.

The MiniCDRW 2 is packaged with mastering software for PC formats, and allows users to transfer materials to CDs by writing up to 16X speed on CD-R and updating and rewriting at up to 10X on a CD-RW. The provided drag-and-drop software facilitates the process similar to the way data is saved to a hard drive.

The Archos MiniCDRW 2 is just slightly larger than a personal CD player at 6.3 x 5.1 x 1.18 inches and weighs 18 oz., qualifying it as the smallest and fastest 16X10X24X CD writer.

The MiniCDRW 2 is "hot swappable" -- there's no need to reboot the computer -- and allows the user to Plug-and-Play on virtually any PC. The CD writer has a media capacity of up to 700 MB (for an 80 minute disk) and a data transfer rate of up to 3600 KB/s max, with an internal buffer of 2 MB. Audio extraction speed is 16X. Supported media include CD-Audio, CD-Extra, CD-ROM, CD-ROM-XA, CD-1, Video CD, Photo CD and CD Text.

Writing and recording methods support include Track-At-Once (TAO), Disc-At-Once (DAO), Session-At-Once (SAO), Multi-Session (MS) and Incremental Packet Writing (fixed and variable packet size).

The $179.95 unit comes packaged with "Nero Burning ROM for PC" mastering software, 12 V DC adapter, carrying pouch and five-language user manual and driver on CD. For additional information, write to Archos Technology, 3 Goodyear, Unit A, Irvine, Calif., 92618, visit www.archos.com or call 949/609-1400.