This Hewlett Packard CD-Writer is a classy-looking external drive that comes in a stylish white, blue, and gray box. Its outstanding feature is its simple USB plug-and-play connection. Plug in the USB as well as your audio and power cables and the computer will automatically detect and configure the drive. Install the drivers and the software and you're done. No need to open the computer case or struggle with cables or switches.
The ease of installation comes with one drawback. The 8230 is no speed demon. With only a 4X write, 4X rewrite, 6X read speed, it is slower than many CD-writers available today.
The 8230 includes a nice bundle of software that lets you easily create backups of critical files on your computer and/or create data or audio CDs. The included HP MyCD software allows you to create an exact copy of another CD (either audio or data) or create a new CD from files on your computer. This software is well suited for the novice PC user. Also included is Adaptec's DirectCD, a piece of software that allows you to read and write files to the CD within software applications such as Microsoft Word. You can even drag files from Windows Explorer and drop them on the CD icon to copy them to the CD. These two software programs are a little redundant since they basically do the same thing. The inclusion of both programs, however, gives you the flexibility to choose the program that you prefer. Also, if one program doesn't perform properly, you can substitute the other. On most of the computers I tested, both programs ran well. However, on one computer even with the help of HP tech support, I couldn't get the HP program to create a data CD. No problem; I just switched to Adaptec instead.
This CD-Writer also comes with HP Simple Backup. The program makes creating a backup disk fairly easy. You can create a full or partial backup and can conveniently choose the files that you want to backup. There is even a Neato CD Label program and applicator with sample labels to get you started. Also included are HP MusicMatch Jukebox and Broderbund's The Print Shop Multimedia Organizer that allow you to make screensavers, slideshows, and multimedia presentations.
The printed Quick-Start guide documents the installation of the hardware with easy-to-follow illustrations. The online user's guide is very comprehensive and gives detailed instructions on creating the CD's. If you have never created a CD, expect to spend some time reading the online user's guide. The software wizard will walk you through tasks and make working with this CD-writer fairly easy. With the wealth of online information available, the learning curve is not too steep, even for the totally uninitiated.
Although HP's tech support couldn't solve my problem with the HP software, they were prompt and responsive. I could have continued to troubleshoot the problem, but it didn't seem worth the effort since the other included Adaptec program did exactly what I needed.
The HP 8230 is a very good value especially if you are squeamish about opening the computer. It is also ideal if you have more than one computer, say one at home and another at the office, because you can easily move the CD-writer from one computer to another. Use it as a tool to backup, store, or transfer files, or use it as a toy to work with audio files. I used it at home to create a fantastic CD, a compilation of all my favorite songs. Then I brought it to the office to listen to my favorites while I worked. It doesn't get much better than that.
