Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/10/sony_unviels_laptop_bd_dribe/
Updated Optiarc, the optical drive joint venture between Sony and NEC, has taken the wraps off its first Blu-ray Disc playback drive for laptops, claiming the machine will allow notebook makers to equip mid-range models with the next-gen disc format.
Optiarc's BC-5500A: Blu-ray playback for laptops
Optiarc's BC-5500A doubles up as a standard CD and DVD burner, writing single-layer DVD±R/RW, dual-layer DVD±R, DVD-RAM and CD-R/RW media at up to 8x, 4x, 5x and 16x speeds, respectively.
Optiarc's BWU-200S: 4x BD-R burning for desktops
Optiarc said the drive is available to buy now and that it will retail for around £165 ($335/€238) inc VAT.
Separately, Sony also introduced a new desktop BD drive, the BWU-200S. This one can burn BD-R and BD-RE media too, with BD-R recording speed running at 4x - though only 2x for BD-RE.
The drive is due to go on sale in the US in November for around $600.
Blu-ray BD+ crypto tech to be cracked by year's end? (31 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/31/slysoft_to_crack_bd_plus/
Samsung spins out world's fastest dual-layer DVD writer (31 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/31/samsung_shs203n_dvd/
Cheap PS3 won't help Blu-ray, claim HD DVD backers (8 October 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/08/cheap_ps3_wont_help_bluray/
LG unwraps HD DVD and Blu-ray combi drive PC (19 September 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/09/19/lg_hddvd_bluray_pc/
Buffalo flies the flag for Blu-ray format (28 August 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/28/buffalo_bluray_japan/
Blu-ray drive maker slashes burner price by €100 (18 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/18/lite-on_slashes_blu-ray_pricing/
Panasonic spins 'first' 4x recordable Blu-ray Discs (4 July 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/04/panasonic_4x_bdr_debuts/
Pioneer pitches cut-price Blu-ray Disc drive (8 May 2007)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/05/08/pioneer_pitches_read_only_bd_drive/