It is a TDK External VeloCD 40x12x48x CD-RW USB 2 and they are on eBay for $150. NEW* TDK velocd EXTERNAL HIGH SPEED USB 2.0/USB 1.1 CD-REWRITABLE DRIVE 401248 CD-RW - USB connection Full Multitasking capability - Buffer Underrun Protection rip an audio CD track in 5 seconds Features: TDK smashes the speed barrier with its 40/12/48 veloCD ReWriter. The proof is in the numbers: burn a full CD in 3 minutes with 40x writing and rip a 3-minute audio track in 5 seconds with 48x digital audio extraction. If you demand uncompromising quality and unrivaled performance, you need the TDK veloCD 40/12/48. ULTIMATE RIP PURITY + ULTIMATE RIP SPEED True to the TDK heritage of digital audio excellence, the 40/12/48 veloCD burner sets a new record with bit-perfect 48x digital audio extraction. Ripping audio with a typical CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is often slow and inaccurate, and the process often contaminates files with audible clicks and pops. The veloCD 40/12/48 delivers a clean, pop-free rip every time. A ONE DRIVE SOLUTION With 48x ripping and 40x writing, the new veloCD burner is so fast it may be the only drive you need. For CD-to-CD-R recording, it's a one-drive alternative that's better sounding and takes less than half the time of most two-drive setups. NO MORE CD COASTERS The 40x veloCD lets you burn while running multiple applications. You're free to burn CDs while you surf the Web, download music or print a document. With the 40x veloCD, you're assured of perfect CDs every time--no failed sessions, no CD coasters. FAST CD REWRITING TDK makes CD rewriting faster and more convenient. The new 40/12/48 veloCD combines the advanced functionality of 10X rewriting with the convenience of drag-and-drop recording. ULTIMATE SOFTWARE SUITE Designed as an all-in-one solution for CD music and multimedia recording, the new 40/12/48 veloCD burner comes complete with TDK's own CD Blender Software Suite, as well as Nero 5.5 multimedia recording software and InCD packet writing software. veloCD comes with everything you need to organize and play your digital music files, create play-anywhere CDs from MP3, WMA and WAV files, copy CDs with one-click convenience, plus lots more. Specifications: Recording Speed 40X (6000KB/sec) Z-CLV Re-writing Speed 12X High-Speed (1800KB/sec) CLV Reading Speed 48X max (7200KB/sec) CAV (20X~48X) Interface ATAPI-E/IDE, support up to Ultra-DMA Mode2 33.3MB/sec Access Time 80ms (typical) Buffer Memory Size 2MB Disc Format Reads/Writes CD-DA, CD-ROM (Mode 1), CD-ROM XA (Mode 2: form 1 or form 2), CD-ROM (Mixed Mode), Photo CD, VideoCD, CD-I, CD-Extra, CD Text Writing Methods/Formats Supports Fixed & Variable Packet, TAO, SAO, DAO, Raw Mode, Over-Burn. MTBF 70,000 Power On Hours with 25% Duty Package Contents: 1 40x12x48 CD-RW Drive TDK CD Labeling Pen 2 TDK CD-R discs 1TDK CD-RW disc Burning software suite: *Ahead Nero 5.5 *TDK Digital MixMaster *InCD Packet Writing Software *Adobe ActiveShare 1 USB 2.0 Compatible Cable Manual
With that price you could get 2 internal burners that are faster than that. And I would guess that not many people are using USB 2.0 so if you plug it into a USB 1.0 system, my guess would be that the transfer rate would be really slow, perhaps below that burner's speed. But if I had to get an external burner, then it looks pretty good. Expensive but good.
TDK has used quality manufacturers (Plextor, Sanyo, now LiteOn), but I am not sure who makes that USB drive. Try to dig that information out from somewhere.
