If a CD-RW drive advertises speeds of 32x/12x/48x, what is its read speed?

The read speed of a CD-RW drive is indicated by the first number in the speed designation. In this case, the speeds given are 32x for writing, 12x for rewriting, and 48x for reading. Therefore, the drive's read speed is 48x, which means it can read data from a CD at a speed equivalent to 48 times the standard rate of data transfer for CDs. This high read speed allows for quicker access to data stored on CDs, optimizing performance for reading tasks.

Understanding the breakdown of the speed notation is crucial because it helps to differentiate between read, write, and rewrite capabilities, ensuring that users know the optimal performance characteristics for each function of the drive.