The new drive is capable of burning CD-Recordable discs at 16x, burn CD-ReWriteable discs at 10x, and can read conventional CD-ROMs at 40x speed. It also features “BURNProof,” a caching technology that eliminates buffer underrun errors in fast-write modes. CD-R mastering is dependent on being able to consistently deliver data to the drive as needed; when there’s a shortage of information, the CD-R is wasted. “BURNProof” prevents that from happening, according to QPS.
QPS Vice President Pierre Abboud calls it the fastest FireWire CD-RW drive available.”
“In addition, it provides 700MB of data-storage space, thereby allowing the user to reclaim valuable hard-disk space. The drive can replace any existing CD-ROM or CD-R drive,” said Abboud.
As with QPS’s previous Que!Fire models, the drive is compatible with both PCs and Macs that support the IEEE1394 standard, known to Mac users as FireWire. FireWire has become Apple’s universal high-speed external peripheral interface; it is used for scanners, data storage devices, digital cameras and other peripherals.
The Que!Fire 16x10x40x CD-RW ships with CD mastering software for Windows, as well as Roxio’s popular Mac CD mastering application Toast. The drive also ships with CD-R and CD-RW media, a power supply, FireWire interface cable, and a protective carrying bag. QPS also indicates that the drive is compatible with future versions of iTunes, Apple’s free MP3 application.
Cosmetically, the Que!Fire drive looks identical to previous Que!Fire offerings. The drives ship in a somewhat rounded graphite-and-ice casing that complements recent Power Mac models and other Apple offerings.
Available for $399 from leading retailers and e-tailers, the QPS 16x10x40x qualifies for a $30 mail-in rebate as well, through June 30, 2001. The rebate offer is good for U.S. and Canadian customers only.
For more information about QPS drives, please visit the QPS Web site. You’re also welcome to view MacCentral’s own Hands On review of the QPS Que!Fire 12x10x32 CD-RW drive, the company’s previous flagship CD-RW drive.