Ritek and DataPlay really have their work cut out for them. While the ability to store 500 MB of data on a disc the size of a quarter is impressive, the technology needs a customer base to keep it alive. With flash media being more affordable now than ever, it's going to be very hard to convince consumers that DataPlay discs are the way to go. Then again, with 750MB and 1GB discs on the way, this could change, especially if the technology is applied to personal video players and camcorders.
As Ritek's first DataPlay based product, I went into this review not really knowing what to expect from the TOPY Mini Writer. With its small size and good looks, the drive is ideal for anyone that needs to read or write to DataPlay discs. Thanks to its USB 2.0 interface, it's also very easy to install and move from computer to computer. Just don't expect blazing transfer speeds as the Mini Writer doesn't come close to tapping USB 2.0's available bandwidth.
The TOPY Mini Writer has just started shipping here in the US, and can be found for about $130 at places like Newegg. While the price might seem a little steep to some, this includes three blank DataPlay discs, giving you 1.5GB worth of storage right out of the box.
