We cannot argue that the Pioneer drive is great to look at and it would score a 9/10 on the coolness factor alone, but the poor CD-R write times leave something to be desired, at least on the desktop computer side. If you mainly use your laptop computer, then you are probably already used to the slower read/write times since laptops are behind desktops on the recordable CD/DVD side. Overall we were satisfied with the performance of Pioneer's drive. The DVR-SK12D is a very rugged and flexible external drive and would make a great companion for your trips on the road provided you are near a power outlet.