USB 2.0 CDRW drive - backward compatibility to USB 1.1 ??

AndrewGK · Jun 23, 2003

Dumb computer question here.

I have a coworker who wants to purchase an external CD RW drive. Most of the current models are built to use USB 2.0 speeds. She, however, only has USB 1.1 ports, and is unable to add a USB 2.0 card.

How much slower would it be for her to burn CDs using USB 1.1 to run a USB 2.0 CDRW device, and are there other issues that she should be aware of if she decides to do this?

Foosinho · Jun 23, 2003

I believe it will most likely work - just at 12Mbps rather than 480Mbps (ie, really frickin' slow compared to USB2). The drive itself should indicate if it requires USB 2.0 or is just USB 2.0 capable.

http://www.gainbery.com/faq.htm

MP5A3 · Jul 7, 2003

You can buy a USB 2.0 PCI card for like $20 at some places, maybe she should buy one of those.

Dante · Jul 7, 2003

USB 2 is backwards compatible, but the speeds will be much slower.

Tell her to get a firewire card. I can't understand how anyone can have a computer and not have firewire.