CD-RW
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer Hardware
| Stands for | Compact Disc ReWritable |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
CD-RW stands for Compact Disc ReWritable, a computer hardware abbreviation.
Compact disc that can be erased and rewritten roughly a thousand times, using a phase-change recording layer instead of the dye used in CD-R. Capacity is the same, about 700 MB.
Example: Back then I copied files between computers on a CD-RW and erased it afterward.
Usage notes
CD-RW arrived in 1997. Its lower reflectivity means many older CD players and early CD-ROM drives cannot read it, and burning is slower than with CD-R. USB flash drives replaced CD-RW for transferring files during the 2000s. Discs labeled "CD-RW" require a drive marked with ReWritable support to burn.
Related abbreviations
More computer hardware abbreviations
- APU – Accelerated processing unit
- ARM – Advanced RISC Machines
- ATX – Advanced Technology eXtended
- BMC – Baseboard management controller
- CD-R – Compact Disc Recordable
- CD-ROM – Compact Disc Read-Only Memory
- CF – CompactFlash
- CISC – Complex instruction set computer
- CL – CAS latency
- CMOS – Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor
- CMR – Conventional magnetic recording
- CPU – Central processing unit