ROY, Utah, - Iomega Corporation, a global leader in data management solutions, today unveiled the new shape of CD-RW: the Iomega(R) Predator(TM) external CD-RW drive. Iomega's new Predator(TM) CD-RW drive will debut at the Comdex technology trade show this November in Las Vegas and is expected at retail in the U.S. in January 2001. The Predator CD-RW drive combines breakthrough design, interchangeable interfaces, and a comprehensive software bundle to deliver outstanding value to consumers. The new Iomega(R) Predator(TM) external CD-RW drive is compatible with Macintosh(R) and PC platforms and sets a new standard of sleek functionality for external CD-RW drives. Iomega has discarded the shoe-box dimensions of typical CD-RW products and trimmed away the excess bulk and weight. The result: an exciting new low-profile design of sculpted curves and rounded edges. In another departure from the bland styling of competing products, the Predator drive's case is finished in a textured cobalt-blue with silver accents. The drive also replaces the motorized front-loading drive tray of most other external drives with a top-loading design similar to that of portable CD players. The new design is quieter, mechanically simpler and treats CDs more gently than front-loading players, which can pinch an improperly inserted disc. "Iomega is making big gains in CD-RW sales by identifying and meeting emerging consumer needs," said Doug Collier, vice president of product management and business development, Iomega Corporation. "The CD-RW market is expected to more than double this year, and yet the number of computers sold without a CD-RW drive is projected to continue growing. Our position as the number two brand in U.S. retail CD-RW sales tells us that there is a huge opportunity to meet the consumer need for style and simplicity in an easy-to- use external drive, and that's exactly what we have created with the Iomega Predator drive." The Predator(TM) CD-RW drive, which has a rated performance of 8X4X32X (8X write-once, 4X rewrite, 32X read), supports popular interfaces by using detachable and interchangeable adapters. The Predator drive will begin shipping in late December bundled with a USB 1.1 adapter offering 4X4X6X performance, and in early 2001 the drive will be bundled with a FireWire(R) adapter offering 8X4X32X performance. With additional options planned for release in 2001, users will be able to easily switch among any of four hot-swappable connection types: USB 1.1, FireWire(R), PCMCIA, and USB 2.0. These choices will give Predator owners the freedom to transform their drives as needed for different desktop and laptop interfaces, so they are ready for the future. The Predator(TM) drive's installation is as simple as installing the software and plugging in the drive; new users will be up and running in minutes. The software suite includes Adaptec(R) Easy CD Creator(TM) 4.0, Adaptec DirectCD(TM) 3.0, Adaptec Toast(TM), MusicMatch(R) Jukebox(TM) Plus, MGI PhotoSuite, Iomega Quik Sync 2 software (30-day Trial Version) and Adobe(R) ActiveShare(TM) software. Also included in the package are two CD-R discs and one pre-formatted CD-RW disc, audio cables, data cable, external power supply and a third-party bonus software offer. The Iomega(R) Predator(TM) external CD-RW drive in USB 1.1 configuration is expected in U.S. stores in January of 2001 for $269.95 (U.S. estimated retail price). The Predator drive with FireWire(R) support will be available in U.S. stores in the first quarter of 2001 for $349.95 (U.S. estimated retail price). To purchase from Iomega directly, visit http://www.iomegadirect.com.