Archos Technology, which designs and manufactures peripherals for notebook and desktop computers, has introduced the Cesar CD-RW/MPM, a small, portable CD writer that comes with mastering software for the Mac and PC.
The 8 x 8 x 24 CD-RW drive is circular, measures 5.3-inches by 0.9-inch thick (just slightly larger than a CD itself), and needs no AC adapter. The device is available with a choice of swappable interfaces, including FireWire, PC Card and USB 2.0.
The 14.5-oz.unit has a manufacturers suggested retail price of US$249.95 and comes packaged with interface cable, mastering software and 5V DC adapter. The Cesar lets you write, update and rewrite at speeds of 8X. The CD writer has a data transfer rate of up to 3,600 KB/s max, with a 2MB internal buffer. Writing and reading speeds are up to 8X CD-R Writer, 8X CD-RW Rewriter, 24X Reader (FireWire and USB 2.0); 8X CD-R Writer, 8X CD-RW Rewriter, 12X Reader (PCMCIA PC card) and 4X CD-R Writer, 4X CD-RW Rewriter and 6X Reader.
The mastering software (NeroMax) that comes with Cesar is apparently not Carbonized for Mac OS X.