The Sony CRX85U external USB 2.0 is even smaller than the Plextor and the Iomega Predator models, and given its square shape and thin profile, as well as the top loading pop-up lid for the CD, you could be forgiven for thinking that this CD-RW drive was just a DiskMan. Not only does the Sony unit rival the competition in terms of style, but it is also the lightest external CD-RW drive in the roundup this month, making portability a definite option. The CRX85U also stands out from the competition this month in terms of specification. While it is not the fastest drive, nor even the fastest external drive, manages to pack 20x write into an incredibly small and portable device. Accordingly, the results in the write test show it to be lower than the 24x devices, but still well ahead of the lower specified external drives. The Sony CRX85U connects to your PC with USB 2.0, providing plenty of headroom to utilize the full potential of the drive. It comes with a whopping 8MB buffer which is also supported by Sony's Power Burn for buffer underrun protection. If you are looking for the ultimate in portability it is difficult to go past the CRX85U this month.