More Upcoming Microdrives

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://storage.ziffdavis.com/article2/0,3973,1141624,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://storage.ziffdavis.com/articl...,1141624,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>Hitachi is not the only one readying higher-capacity Microdrives this year -- a company by the name of Colby Systems is joining the fun.<br /><br />"The storage requirements of digital cameras keep climbing, and while storage vendors have driven capacities for desktop hard disks--the destination for downloaded images--they've been a bit more leisurely where it comes to the removable media for cameras. However, a storage industry outsider this week will offer a micro-sized hard drive holding 2.4GB, double the current capacity leader. Colby Systems Corp., a longtime vendor of custom hardware solutions for vertical markets, said it will announce its MD 2.4 drive this week. The company had not finalized pricing, the list price will be about $279."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20030702-Colby-Microdrive.jpg" /><br /><br />This kind of competition is good, because I got the distinct feeling that Hitachi was sitting on their laurels about releasing a new Microdrive. In any case, IMHO, <i>both</i> companies have to move, because flash is right on their tail. ;)

[msprague]

What would be impressive is if this was a Type I card.

[Janak Parekh]

What would be impressive is if this was a Type I card.
8O I just don't see them sticking a metal platter and a read head into something that insanely thin.

--janak

[beq]

What a coincidence, John C. Dvorak's latest PC Mag rant column praised yet another 1" drive maker newcomer who's supposedly the one to watch by everyone in the industry ($75 pricing). I don't think his rant column is posted on their website (though his general column is), so I don't know how to link/re-post it...

P.S. I'd love to see one of the PPCT'er grumpmeisters square off w/ one of the old-timers like Dvorak hee :mrgreen:

[Janak Parekh]

What a coincidence, John C. Dvorak's latest PC Mag rant column praised yet another 1" drive maker newcomer who's supposedly the one to watch by everyone in the industry ($75 pricing).
Yeah, we covered Cornice's unit some time ago (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11423)... it's more for integration than this CF-based device, and it's only 1GB.

--janak

[Foo Fighter]

I wonder when (or if) we'll see handhelds with built-in microdrives. Flash memory is a slow and limited expansion technology. I'm no fan of moving parts inside a portable device, mind you, but we desperately need more internal storage on PDAs.

[GoldKey]

I could see it if it was user replacable. So basically just bundle a CF microdrive with a PDA but be sure to have either two CF slots or a SD slot.

[beq]

Yeah, we covered Cornice's unit some time ago (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11423)... it's more for integration than this CF-based device, and it's only 1GB.
Oh yeah, now it's coming back :) So I guess the Cornice architecture makes it impossible to fit in a self-contained CF card? Still, $75 for 1.5GB is not bad at all...

[JonnoB]

I wonder when (or if) we'll see handhelds with built-in microdrives. Flash memory is a slow and limited expansion technology. I'm no fan of moving parts inside a portable device, mind you, but we desperately need more internal storage on PDAs.

I remember when I expanded my personal computer to 16k of memory. When oh when did we get to the point where multiple gigabytes of storage are needed in our handhelds? I love technology!

[gorkon280]

I wonder when (or if) we'll see handhelds with built-in microdrives. Flash memory is a slow and limited expansion technology. I'm no fan of moving parts inside a portable device, mind you, but we desperately need more internal storage on PDAs.

I remember when I expanded my personal computer to 16k of memory. When oh when did we get to the point where multiple gigabytes of storage are needed in our handhelds? I love technology!

Really! I remember when my machine only had 64K. I remember wanting a 1 GB IBM Microdrive, but I don't what that anymore....CF's are getting closer to the prices of microdrives.

On the otherhand, that was your 1000th post Jonno! Heh heh! Congrats!

[JonnoB]

On the otherhand, that was your 1000th post Jonno! Heh heh! Congrats!

Who's counting??? :roll:

[droppedd]

hey, if they really are going to make the 2.4 gig microdrive for $280 list, that is quite a deal - i may hold off on getting a big CF card for my 2210 until then. It should drive the prices of other CF cards and microdrives down... although i doubt i'd spring for the 2.4, i'd feel weird paying more for the drive than i did for the unit itself :-)

[beq]

It would be awesome to see Cornice up capacity to 3GB and up while maintaining $/gigabye value (ex. 3GB for $150). Even better in a CF card housing -- from what I'd read I didn't see mentioned that this was technically impossible?

As it is it'll be exciting to have more cheap devices w/ built-in HDD due to Cornice (digicams and many others, according to Dvorak). Heck any PPC w/ cam lens for stills/video capture should have this too...

[Kirk Stephens]

It looks like I should eBay my 1Gig Microdrive before it loses all of its value :cry: o-well...new toy here I come :D