Home > Consumer Reviews > LaCie 301230U DVD+/-RW Lightscribe 8X USB 2.0 Slim Portable Drive

The Roxio software seemed to stomp all over my XP Pro system, and I ended up uninstalling the Roxio DVD player. The low quality software is the reason for my low rating.
As far as the drive goes, it seems OK so far. It's not real fast, but I wouldn't expect that in this type of drive anyway. The tray catches on the top of the opening if one isn't very careful closing it. I can accept that too.
Now for the good part: The drive is light, and very convenient. I would certainly be ready to reccommend that one should forget about the Roxio software and use some other software to use this drive. That could be why the software isn't crippled, it doesn't work that well.
I have no idea how well the LightScribe feature works, I can't imagine where I would ever use it.

I bought this on DECEMBER 11, 2008 and it QUIT WORKING last week. I bought a 2 year service policy which is worthless because I'd have to pay the freight to get it repaired. I'm getting my money back from AMAZON but since it's been more than 30 days I have to pay that freight too! About 30 of my contacts in and around HOUSTON have encountered the same reliability problems and have return these drives to where they bought them. I believe that this particular product should be avoided. It only burned 15 CDs and 5 DVDs before self destructing! The concept is great. I recently purchased a new COMPUTER system. [AS OF 05/30/2009]: Since this LIGHTSCRIBE system isn't reliable [from the LASER title engraving standpoint], I'm going to either pass it on to my wife or use it as a spare DVD burner. It was a total waste of $$$$$$. I recently got an EPSON ARTISAN 700 printer that can print [COLOR] information onto CDs or DVDs.

I bought this to use with my Acer Aspire One. It comes with Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 XE. It comes with a USB cable, a 2nd USB cable if you need power from you laptop that the 1st USB cable might not supply and an A/C adapter. I use the 1st USB alone with my Aspire One.

It is very light weight and has all the functions that most people need. It is Lightscribe and DL compatible. It has worked with all the brands of discs I use.

I would suggest this one for anyone wanting a portable unit to take with them. It works great with my little Netbook. (Acer Aspire One)

It also seems to burn discs just as fast as my built-in units in my laptop and desktop. There is an update for the Lightscribe function on the Lacie website that needs to be installed on you computer for you to burn Lightscribe discs if you do that. I very seldom do.

Mine is a very shiney black with a gray bottom. It is plastic but feels solid enough to carry with you. It has rubber feet. It isn't the quietest drive but I don't care as long as it works.

I purchased this DVD burner to use at work and home and have been impressed with it's compact design and very light weight. Some of the pluses:

- It comes with 3 ways to supply power, one is via standard mini USB, one is via a custom USB to DC input cable and the last is a regular AC adapter. All of them are included with the drive.

- It comes with (what appears to be) a full version of Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 XE. I have yet to hook up my video camera to it yet but there are no inactive components insisting on a paid upgrade to unlock and use them. Usually OEM versions are scaled down but this one has CineMagic and other features that are often removed. It also comes with a nice DVD player from Roxio called CinePlayer.

- It is very very compact and light weight.

The only down sides are the write speed (average to slow at 8x single layer and 4x double layer) and it will not write CD+R. Both minor setbacks unless you have a real need for speed.

Very quick delivery, 3 days. As advertised, a little complicated to set up, am running Vista 64, had to update software before it worked. Has been great since then. I searched for months, and picked the best! No noise, fast enough for me, including Lightscribe, neat extra. Not like the picture, it's nicer. Thanks Amazon!