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CNET editors' rating:
3.5 stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 16 reviews
- See all user reviews
Product summary
The good: Stylish; sturdy; doubles as a standalone MP3 player; good performance; runs both PC and Mac software.
The bad: Heavy for a travel drive; won't run off of USB bus power.
The bottom line: We love the Spyder's low-profile, retro design and all of its features and extras. But at nearly two pounds, it's almost twice the weight of most travel CD-RW drives.
Specifications: CD / DVD type: CD-RW; CD / DVD read speed: 24x; CD / DVD write speed: 12x; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 03/19/2002
The $299 Spyder comes with a user guide and a setup sheet that are among the best in the business. The package also includes a three-foot USB cable, one blank CD-R, and, unfortunately, a thick AC power brick that contributes greatly to the drive's hefty travel weight. The drive is compatible with Windows 98 SE, 2000, Me, and XP, plus Mac OS 9.0.4 or later. Setup is as easy as plugging the AC adapter cord into the drive and running a USB cable to your computer. However, you'll need a USB 2.0 adapter card for full performance (expect 4X/4X/6X when attached to a USB 1.1 port), so factor in that hassle if don't already have one. Happily, Yamaha offers a free PCI USB 2.0 adapter for your desktop though a mail-in form. If you're the notebook type, the company also offers a PC Card USB 2.0 adapter for only $29.95--an appealing deal, considering that such adapters usually run about $99.
Retro fits
Besides being handsome, the 5.5-by-7.5-by-1.1-inch, silver and gray Spyder has an intuitive, logical layout. All the CD- and MP3-control buttons (the drive doubles as a standalone MP3 player), as well as the LCD readout, are mounted on the front lip of the drive and are easily accessible. The headphone jack is placed well forward on the right side of the unit to avoid cable tangle. The power connector, a regulation USB-cable jack, and the line-out are on the back. There's even a power switch (which many external drives lack) on the rear right of the unit, but unfortunately, the drive can't run off USB bus power.
Big bundle
A major Spyder perk is the software bundle for both Mac and PC. Ahead Software's excellent Nero 5.5 is provided for PC CD-mastering chores, and the same company's InCD handles drag-and-drop packet-writing. Also included for the PC are NeroMix 1.227 and Nero Wave Editor for audio duties; the Nero Utility kit for testing your drive and system; and Adobe's PhotoDeluxe 4.0 image-editing software. Mac users get Ahead's NeroMax, which brings many of Nero Burning ROM's abilities to Mac users, plus Photoshop 5.0 LE for image-editing needs.
The Spyder performed as we expected for its 12X/10X/24X ratings in CNET Labs' tests. It burned our 500MB batch of test files to CD-R in 6 minutes flat; burned a 43-minute audio image file to CD-R in 5 minutes; and wrote 400MB of data to CD-RW in 8 minutes, 32 seconds. The Spyder also scurried through our DAE (digital audio extraction, or ripping) test, extracting a 27-minute track in only 1 minute, 30 seconds. Installing Microsoft Office Small Business Edition with the Spyder took 2 minutes, 30 seconds, which is on a par with the drive's 24X-rated read speeds. And Yamaha's SafeBurn buffer-underrun protection lets you multitask while burning discs without fear of ruining your media. Continue reading
User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 16 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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