The 4420 will also offer "random erase technology" that lets you use a CD-RW disc just like a floppy or hard disk -- adding or deleting individual files at any time.

CNN: Verbatim to ship first 4X CD-RW drive

"Over time, an optical disc will be as much of an historical curiosity as a floppy disk, " said Michael Gartenberg, a tech-industry analyst with research firm Gartner Inc.

CNN: Why disc drives are an endangered species