Page 5: Testing, Conclusion
Testing
Remember that this drive isn't targeted at the performance market. We are here to test how well the drive works in the intended use cases and since this is a value segment drive, we through value media at it. Actually, that's all we buy. Like the eNAU108, this model proved that inexpensive doesn't mean cheap. The drive won't be winning any contests for speed, but that's not the point. As long as the eNAU608 burns reliably, it is fine in our book. All the data we burned was read without issue.
We also had to test the new LabelTag feature of the drive. LightScribe has been done and gone, but LabelTag allows you to put a label on the data side of the disk. The process is pretty simple. Once the data is burned to the disk, the drive then calculates how much space is left for a label. Using this space, the drive burns the label "pattern" as a normal burn process. The result is that your disk has an unmistakable imprint on the data side telling you what it is. This is great for archiving. There are a few drawbacks. The first is shown in the picture. The contrast you get from some dyes will not be that good. You can see it, but it is faint and you need to hold it a certain way to get it. This is a plain CD-R. No special media is required
DVD+R media shows up a bit easier. We didn't burn too much data to this disk, but if you fill up the disk entirely, you won't be able to put a label on it. It is actually eating into the usable data space of the disk. A large label like the one we put is using a couple of GB on the disk. The software also doesn't allow the use of RW disks. It only allows write once and then closes the disk after writing the label. We'd be interested to see if the RW disk is still usable after going through the LabelTag process. We don't see why it wouldn't be.
The Nero software that was packaged with the drive worked with Windows AND Linux. Included on the CD is the Nero For Linux Version 4. This is a welcomed sight to see companies package in software for Linux. Unfortunately, Nero for Linux works fine for doing the majority of the burn tasks, but to get LabelTag support, you'll need to use the Windows version. Still, it is nice to see that the Linux version was on the disk.
Conclusion
The eNAU608 retails for a bit under $60 (Amazon Link) at the time of posting. You are really paying a premium over the less expensive sibling, but you are gaining the personalization features and the ability to label the data side of the disks. Remember, this is normal media. You don't need a special disk like for LightScribe. Sure, LabelTag has some drawbacks, but the technology is interesting. For a generic slim drive, we still recommend the eNAU108. Road warriors will probably want to stick with the »eNAU108, as well. If you want the full range of features and the personalization abilities, the eNAU608 is the drive for you.
ASE Publishing would like to thank Lite-On for making this review possible.
Remember that this drive isn't targeted at the performance market. We are here to test how well the drive works in the intended use cases and since this is a value segment drive, we through value media at it. Actually, that's all we buy. Like the eNAU108, this model proved that inexpensive doesn't mean cheap. The drive won't be winning any contests for speed, but that's not the point. As long as the eNAU608 burns reliably, it is fine in our book. All the data we burned was read without issue.
We also had to test the new LabelTag feature of the drive. LightScribe has been done and gone, but LabelTag allows you to put a label on the data side of the disk. The process is pretty simple. Once the data is burned to the disk, the drive then calculates how much space is left for a label. Using this space, the drive burns the label "pattern" as a normal burn process. The result is that your disk has an unmistakable imprint on the data side telling you what it is. This is great for archiving. There are a few drawbacks. The first is shown in the picture. The contrast you get from some dyes will not be that good. You can see it, but it is faint and you need to hold it a certain way to get it. This is a plain CD-R. No special media is required
DVD+R media shows up a bit easier. We didn't burn too much data to this disk, but if you fill up the disk entirely, you won't be able to put a label on it. It is actually eating into the usable data space of the disk. A large label like the one we put is using a couple of GB on the disk. The software also doesn't allow the use of RW disks. It only allows write once and then closes the disk after writing the label. We'd be interested to see if the RW disk is still usable after going through the LabelTag process. We don't see why it wouldn't be.
The Nero software that was packaged with the drive worked with Windows AND Linux. Included on the CD is the Nero For Linux Version 4. This is a welcomed sight to see companies package in software for Linux. Unfortunately, Nero for Linux works fine for doing the majority of the burn tasks, but to get LabelTag support, you'll need to use the Windows version. Still, it is nice to see that the Linux version was on the disk.
Conclusion
The eNAU608 retails for a bit under $60 (Amazon Link) at the time of posting. You are really paying a premium over the less expensive sibling, but you are gaining the personalization features and the ability to label the data side of the disks. Remember, this is normal media. You don't need a special disk like for LightScribe. Sure, LabelTag has some drawbacks, but the technology is interesting. For a generic slim drive, we still recommend the eNAU108. Road warriors will probably want to stick with the »eNAU108, as well. If you want the full range of features and the personalization abilities, the eNAU608 is the drive for you.
ASE Publishing would like to thank Lite-On for making this review possible.