Plextor’s new PX-B120U seems like your standard BD-ROM drive, with Blu-ray playback and CD/DVD burning, though it’s got a nice blue color scheme. But the real draw here is USB power, which gives it a certain portability that elevates the drive up a few notches. Plextor’s also coming out with a Home Media Center called the PlexMedia, and you can hook it up to that too. You can even use it on your MacBook, — you’ll just need to use Boot Camp, because Blu-ray is still a “bag of hurt” according to old Steve Jobs.

The PX-B120U is available now for $99.99 MSRP.

Plextor Announces the New PX-B120U USB-Powered External BD ROM

PX-B120U lets users enjoy high-definition and 3D movies on the go

(Fremont, CA – July 20, 2010) – Plextor (www.plextor.com), a leading brand of high-performance digital media solutions, announces the new PX-B120U external BD-ROM. The PX-B120U was first introduced at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan in June and is now available for purchase in the U.S.

The PX-B120U is a USB-powered external Blu-ray Disc playback device that allows users to watch high-definition movies on any Blu-ray capable PC or notebook*. The device comes bundled with Cyberlink –high-quality Blu-ray and DVD playback software that provides a full Blu-ray experience in 3D, including the ability to upscale standard videos to HD-like and 3D-like visual quality.

“Blu-ray has become the media player of choice for consumers and we wanted to provide a versatile solution to our customers,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at Plextor. “The PX-B120U is great for on-the-go viewing and can also serve as the Blu-ray player at home. It’s a great all around solution for anyone’s Blu-ray needs.”

Its compact, slender design makes the PX-B120U easy to transport in existing cases or bags without adding extra bulk. There’s no need to carry an additional AC adapter or other cables. Also, the top-load design makes it easy to open from any angle even with minimal space. The drive’s external design features a unique ripple pattern and a smooth, gloss texture finish.

When connected via USB cable, the four-speed mechanism provides smooth Blu-ray playback. It also provides extensive support to multiple media formats; including DVD+ /- R, DVD +/-RW, DVD +/- R DL, DVD-RAM and CD-R.

Additionally, when the PX-B120U is connected to Plextor’s soon-to-be-released media player, PlexMedia, it can also function as a living room Blu-ray player. The ability to use it permanently at home, or take it with you, makes it a truly versatile drive.

Plextor’s PX-B120U external BD-ROM is available now in the U.S. with an MSRP of $99.99. For more information, please visit www.plextor.com

*Note: System must meet certain requirements for BD playback