Sony DRU-800A

Pros: included black faceplate option,

Cons: firmware updates are tricky, limited documentation, included software is mediore by today's standards

Summary: I have had this drive for almost 2 years now (I purchased it overseas in Singapore, new in the box) and have had zero concerns with it since day one. It went straight into the system I was using at the time and has since moved through two other self-build computers. This drive can handle anything you throw at it and has burned everything I've asked of it with almost no errors. Just to test it, I tried burning a CD while doing 6-7 other things, and on playback I noticed a few garbled points. However, this is an extreme test, and the burner holds up exceedingly well under normal use.

What I would have liked to see with this is perhaps another faceplate option (or a line of them available for purchase), but that's a minor concern. Including a black option was a stroke of genius by Sony.

Until Blu-Ray burners and media come down to the sub-$100 price point, I will continue to recommend this particular burner to anyone looking for a burning solution.