The new PX-608CU is about 16-mm thick, weighs about .5 pounds, writes CDs at speeds of 24x, DVDs at 8x for a single-layer disc,, and has a 2 MB buffer as part of a system to prevent writing errors.

The burner is available now in some stores and in all retail stores within the coming week. Packed with Roxio Easy Media Creator 8, the drive will go for about $170.