14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that the display business is not the only outlet that I-O Data has been using to channel its creativity lately, the company having also brought forth a certain external optical drive.
As end-users know, most common optical drives usually come in the 5.25-inch form factor and end up in desktop cases.
With all the focus on external and/or portable hardware, however, it as only a matter of time until even such components started to get their own slimmer and standalone designs.
As it happens, the first external ODDs came out a long time ago, which means that I-O Data's most recent product is just one of the latest additions to this market.
Dubbed BRP-U6, it is, as the name itself implies, a unit capable of writing not just CDs and DVDs, but also Blu-ray disks.
Of course, the maximum scribing speed differs according to the format of said disks, ranging from 4x to 24x.
CD-EW disks are written at 10x and CD-R reach 24X, while DVD-RW are scribed at 6x, DVD-R/+R DL at 4x and DVD-R/+R/+RW go as high as 8x.
Finally, BD-R DL formats reach writing speeds of 4x, while BR-RE go at 2x.
As for the design, the newcomer measures 137 (W) x 154 (D) x 20 (H) mm and has a weight of 130 grams, while connectivity to PCs is done via the USB 2.0 connection.
For those seeking a reminder, the maximum transfer speed of USB 2.0 ports is 480 Mbps and the ports themselves also supply the power needed by the products plugged into them.
Currently, the newcomer has been revealed in Japan and can be seen in detail on I-O Data's official website.
The product bundle includes the Nero 9 Express Essentials software, for comprehensive disk burning, and sales are slated to commence next month, December 2010. The price will be the Yen equivalent of roughly $265.