DEPARTMENT Versatile Drive Offers Take-Along Technology (NAPSA)—Computer users can now avoid a highly frustrating problem: having the hardware you need for a specific task—but not on the computer at which you’re working. For example, your home PC may have a DVD-ROMdrive, but you'd like to have that technology for your laptop—for easy entertainment on planeortrain trips. Or you'd like to burn music CDs at home, but the only CD-RW drive at your disposalis at youroffice. Fortunately, there’s now an inexpensive way to take advantage of such technology wherever you go. Sony Electronics has introduced a portable, battery-operated CD-RW and DVD-ROM drive that doubles as a stand-alone CD, MP3, WMA and WAVplayer. The versatile device (model MPD-AP20U) incorporates a Memory Stick media slot and operates on a rechargeable battery to provide users with the ultimate all-in-one burner/player whether at home, in the office or on the go. The lightweight drive includes a high-speed USB interface for plug-and-play connectivity and comes with easy-to-use software for Macintosh and Windows. With this sleek device, com- puter users can perform common CD-R/RW burning tasks—such as backing up data, recording digital images and creating original music CDs—at up to 24X speed. A sleek, portable drive makes it possible to burn CDs,listen to music or watch movies wherever you are. When connected to a computer, the MPD-AP20U also operates as a DVD-ROM drive for viewing DVD movies, and as a Memory Stick media reader for viewing, saving and transferringfiles. When detached from a computer, the drive works as a standalone CD player that can play back standard audio CDs, as well as MP3, WMA and WAVfiles from either a CD, DVD or Memory Stick media. The new drive, which has an estimated sales price of less than $3800, comes complete with all the necessary accessories and a suite of software to begin recording and enjoying outof the box. The MPD-AP20U is available through catalogs, retail outlets and online shopping sites, including SonyStyle.com. To learn more, visit www.storagebysony.com.
