The CD-400S turned in very strong numbers, even when compared to its 36x brother, the CD-360S. CPU utilization figures for both units were good, with the CD-400S turning in an extremely low 8%, the lowest figure we've ever recorded for that particular test.

The installation and mounting of the CD-400S went without delay, and the drivers ASUS includes with the drive are straightforward and easy to adjust.

One question we're always asked when testing 32x or above CD-ROM drives concerns the noise factor. We're happy to report that the CD-400S was very quiet even under spin-up conditions, especially when compared to one of our older Acer 32x CD-ROM drives. Most high speed CD-ROM drives sound like a Pratt and Whitney turbine engine spooling up for a cat launch off the USS Enterprise. The CD-400S didn't suffer from this problem, and was barely detectable during most of its operation.