Great drive, although software is a bit basic (HP Surestore CD-Writer Plus 9150i)

Member Name: Morgenhund

Product:	HP Surestore CD-Writer Plus 9150i
Date:	18/10/00 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap, reliable, easy to install

Disadvantages: software provision is only average

I bought this drive for ATS2990 (EUR217.32) in Vienna and have been very pleased with it to date. Having installed a lot of hardware in machines before, I have no problems installing hardware, but the diagnostic software supplied will inform those without experience as to what they need to set jumper switches to etc and how to connect it all. Additionally there is a video (on CD Rom) of how exactly to install the drive in step by step detail, as well as information factsheets to make this a very easy peripheral to install.

Sadly the software provision was a bit on the basic side, as the software shipped is an entry level programme, written by HP, whereas other companies ship their burners with Nero 5 or Adaptec Easy CD Creator. For CDRW disks, there was a copy of DirectCD, updated for compatibility with Win 98, and so the software was adequate but not outstanding. However I added Nero for ATS699 (EUR 50) and now have everything I need in terms of software. I have found the burner easy to use, and very reliable, and am, touching wood, yet to experience any buffer underrun problems. The only downside is that the drive doesn't support over burning, but this is usually not an issue in any case.

Summary: