Feature
Compact Discs
With an installed base of over 100 million CD read-only memory (CD-ROM) readers and over half a billion CD audio players, the CD is easily the most successful family of optical storage systems, and in fact, one of the most successful consumer electronic products of all time. Approximately 90% of all personal computers shipped today contain a CD-ROM reader. This large installed base, plus the low cost of the disc ($.005/MB for a "one-off" recorded CD, less for a mass replicated CD) makes CD the ideal format for distributing or sharing digital data.
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