I've been reading the posts in this forum now for a few days. It seems that a couple of people are really badmouthing AOpen's burners...and I understand this is justified entirely if you've personally had a less than stellar experience. I don't think there's really any brand that can claim a perfect track-record, not even Plextor, but of course, some are more reliable and peform better than others.
With that said, I've been doing A LOT of research online in the past several days, looking into burners because I'm soon to upgrade from my old HP 2x2x6x which has served me well for the last couple of years, but it's of course slow, taking 45 mins. to burn one music CD.
I'm at this point leaning toward getting the newest AOpen burner, the CRW1232A (the upgrade model with JustLink 'burn-proof' technology). I think this model probably has any bugs worked out that people may have encountered with the earlier CRW1232 (no 'A') model. In fact, there's even a brand new CRW1232Pro model which adds DDS (Dynamic Damping System) which a tech rep at AOpen told me results in the unit having only 1/3 the vibration of previous models. That may indeed be a worthwhile feature to have, but still, it may just be a frill that's really unnecessary unless it can be had at little extra cost (not sure how much more they charge for this unit, it seems too new and doesn't seem real available yet).
Anway, all I've got to say is that all I've read from a wide array of sources that have OBJECTIVELY tested out these AOpen 12x10x32x burners is that they are very strong performers.
Read for yourself, here's 4 links to reviews of the newer CRW1232A with 'JustLink' technology:
http://www.thetechzone.com/display.asp?i=19&p=1
http://pcshooter.xrgaming.net/hardware/crw.html
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/aopencrw1232/
http://www4.tomshardware.com/storage/01q1/010330/index.html
Here's 2 links to reviews of the older, 'JustLink'-less CRW1232:
http://www.overclockers.com.au/techstuff/r_aopen_1232/
http://www.inside-hardware.net/cdrw1232/page1.html
I hope all these links work for those interested...because the URLs are copied directly from the pages I've read these articles on just now.
I think anyone with a rational, objective mind--after reading these reviews--will have the opinion that this particular AOpen burner is, for the most part, a very solid performer. And considering it can be had for about $129, a great value. Since AOpen is one of the world's largest manufacturers of original-equipment computer-related hardware (manufacturers buy from them and install at the factory), as well as offering retail versions that 'people on the street' can buy, it stands to reason that this company is not going to ignore quality issues. After all, if they habitually made crap, it wouldn't be too long before manufacturers would abandon them entirely, and this isn't the case. As I've said, they are huge and very successful.
They're tech support has been very prompt and helpful via e-mail with me in answering all my questions, too.
This is not saying that everything is or would likely be 'peachy-keen' if and when I buy one of their drives. But after doing my research, the only negatives I've seen about this drive is from a couple of people posting to this forum that probably had a lemon. That can occur with any company's products--it's not uncommon for a batch of marginal quality units to be produced, for one reason or other, by ANY manufacturer. As consumers we'd like to believe this could never happen but don't kid yourself. It happens with ALL manufacturers, even Plextor. It's unfortunate for the buyers, though. But still, if AOpen had unleashed a few of these suspect drives in the past, I think it's pretty unfair to chastise them so severely and say their burners are ALWAYS going to be 'crap' and 'a pile of feces' (taken directly from some of the posts in this forum). Like I've said, if you had a bad experience, you've got the right to feel that way, totally understood. But it's kind of funny how this unit has never missed a step for any of the reviewers above, and they've done some very strenuous, tough tests on them. I'm thinking the bad reviews on here may be related to early units, perhaps, or simply 'lemons' (which can happen with any company's equipment).
In fact, I've had a 32x CD-ROM by AOpen in my computer from day 1 (over 3 yrs. now) and it's performed flawlessly. If I should buy an AOpen burner, I'd expect a replacement promptly if it turned out defective. It's not rocket-science to make this happen when one buys something. I can only think those that have problems getting a replacement are perhaps too abrasive in their dealings with the company, thereby encountering resistance, naturally.
Anway, I know this post has gotten way too long, but I just wanted to offer up the other side of the coin on this AOpen 'burner' issue. And no, I don't work for AOpen or own any of their stock...lol
--Boz
With that said, I've been doing A LOT of research online in the past several days, looking into burners because I'm soon to upgrade from my old HP 2x2x6x which has served me well for the last couple of years, but it's of course slow, taking 45 mins. to burn one music CD.
I'm at this point leaning toward getting the newest AOpen burner, the CRW1232A (the upgrade model with JustLink 'burn-proof' technology). I think this model probably has any bugs worked out that people may have encountered with the earlier CRW1232 (no 'A') model. In fact, there's even a brand new CRW1232Pro model which adds DDS (Dynamic Damping System) which a tech rep at AOpen told me results in the unit having only 1/3 the vibration of previous models. That may indeed be a worthwhile feature to have, but still, it may just be a frill that's really unnecessary unless it can be had at little extra cost (not sure how much more they charge for this unit, it seems too new and doesn't seem real available yet).
Anway, all I've got to say is that all I've read from a wide array of sources that have OBJECTIVELY tested out these AOpen 12x10x32x burners is that they are very strong performers.
Read for yourself, here's 4 links to reviews of the newer CRW1232A with 'JustLink' technology:
http://www.thetechzone.com/display.asp?i=19&p=1
http://pcshooter.xrgaming.net/hardware/crw.html
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/aopencrw1232/
http://www4.tomshardware.com/storage/01q1/010330/index.html
Here's 2 links to reviews of the older, 'JustLink'-less CRW1232:
http://www.overclockers.com.au/techstuff/r_aopen_1232/
http://www.inside-hardware.net/cdrw1232/page1.html
I hope all these links work for those interested...because the URLs are copied directly from the pages I've read these articles on just now.
I think anyone with a rational, objective mind--after reading these reviews--will have the opinion that this particular AOpen burner is, for the most part, a very solid performer. And considering it can be had for about $129, a great value. Since AOpen is one of the world's largest manufacturers of original-equipment computer-related hardware (manufacturers buy from them and install at the factory), as well as offering retail versions that 'people on the street' can buy, it stands to reason that this company is not going to ignore quality issues. After all, if they habitually made crap, it wouldn't be too long before manufacturers would abandon them entirely, and this isn't the case. As I've said, they are huge and very successful.
They're tech support has been very prompt and helpful via e-mail with me in answering all my questions, too.
This is not saying that everything is or would likely be 'peachy-keen' if and when I buy one of their drives. But after doing my research, the only negatives I've seen about this drive is from a couple of people posting to this forum that probably had a lemon. That can occur with any company's products--it's not uncommon for a batch of marginal quality units to be produced, for one reason or other, by ANY manufacturer. As consumers we'd like to believe this could never happen but don't kid yourself. It happens with ALL manufacturers, even Plextor. It's unfortunate for the buyers, though. But still, if AOpen had unleashed a few of these suspect drives in the past, I think it's pretty unfair to chastise them so severely and say their burners are ALWAYS going to be 'crap' and 'a pile of feces' (taken directly from some of the posts in this forum). Like I've said, if you had a bad experience, you've got the right to feel that way, totally understood. But it's kind of funny how this unit has never missed a step for any of the reviewers above, and they've done some very strenuous, tough tests on them. I'm thinking the bad reviews on here may be related to early units, perhaps, or simply 'lemons' (which can happen with any company's equipment).
In fact, I've had a 32x CD-ROM by AOpen in my computer from day 1 (over 3 yrs. now) and it's performed flawlessly. If I should buy an AOpen burner, I'd expect a replacement promptly if it turned out defective. It's not rocket-science to make this happen when one buys something. I can only think those that have problems getting a replacement are perhaps too abrasive in their dealings with the company, thereby encountering resistance, naturally.
Anway, I know this post has gotten way too long, but I just wanted to offer up the other side of the coin on this AOpen 'burner' issue. And no, I don't work for AOpen or own any of their stock...lol
--Boz
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