- Supports 16x writing (CLV) speed
- "FlextraLink" anti-coaster technology
- Good writing quality
- Very Good data reading performance with both CDR/pressed media
- Low seek times
- High PSX ripping speed
- Recognizes 90/99 min CDs
- High packet writing performance
- Good DAE quality
- Supports HS-RW standard
- Supports DAO-RAW
- Can backup SD2 protected CDs
- Supports reading/writing of SubChannel Data (very fast!)
- Supports CD-Text (reading/writing)
- Supports Overburning (up to 99mins)
- Supports Ultra-DMA 33 connection interface
- Retail package includes Nero 5.5
- Low price ($75-85)

- Low DAE speed
- Writing times higher than competition!
- Noisy reading operation despite the DDSSII system
- Cannot read/rip protected AudioCDs

ASUS seems to have done a very good job here. The drive performed very well in all the tests and the given performance can be easily compared to those we had met with Plextor, Teac, and LiteOn drives. The drive showed a very good data reading performance with various CDR and HS-RW media, good DAE and quality in data writing. Also, ASUS CRW-1610A can read/write CD-Text on Audio CDs, has very good access times,supports overburning up to 99 minutes and can recognize 90/99 min media. ASUS CRW-1610A will surprise users with a remarkable CloneCD performance. It ripped the protected CD images really fast and of course the produced backup of SD2 CDs did worked in all the drives we tested.

On the lows, we could say that ASUS CRW-1610A does not support very high DAE speeds compared to other drives, writing times are 10+sec higher than the PleXWriter and the drive is quite noisy during the various reading process. Last the drive cannot read/rip protected AudioCDs.

The price of the CRW1610A is estimated around $75-85, which is a good considering the performance and the competition available prices. Of course at this price tag someone could buy a faster 24x recorder (probably from LiteOn) but the ASUS CRW1610A won't let you down either...