1 GB IBM Microdrive with PC Card Adapter for $199 [Archive]

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Jason Dunn

12-30-2002, 08:35 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.smb.compaq.com/dstore/option.asp?supercategoryid=33&CategoryId=1259&ComponentId=8351' target='_blank'>http://www.smb.compaq.com/dstore/op...omponentId=8351</a><br /><br /></div>"The IBM Microdrive offers easy file transfer between computers or electronic devices. The Microdrive also provides an easy source for file backup in a very small form factor. The Microdrive offers 1 GB, 3600 rpm, 30.1 to 45.2 Mb/second media transfer rate 128 KB data buffer, and 15ms average read seek time."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/217390-B25.jpg" />

Jonathon Watkins

12-30-2002, 08:40 PM

etalianstallion

12-30-2002, 08:49 PM

Thanks for bringing this to the front page--I had posted this in the Dell Axim forum earlier.

Janak Parekh

12-30-2002, 08:59 PM

Hmmmm - about time they brought out larger capacities isn’t it. I hope this is the beginning of clearing out the old stock before they introduce new sizes (with decreased power requirements too :D ). One can but hope…
Yes -- I have a 1GB (which I paid $450 for :cry:), and am desperately awaiting the rumored next-gen "Pixie Dust" Microdrive which will store 6GB.

--janak

Bob Anderson

12-30-2002, 09:02 PM

Hmmmm - about time they brought out larger capacities isn’t it. I hope this is the beginning of clearing out the old stock before they introduce new sizes (with decreased power requirements too :D ). One can but hope…

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing... prices go really low right before the "new" stuff hits... and a while back there was an article about IBM putting that magic "Pixie Dust" to work on the microdrive increasing it's potential to something like 5GB??? Anyway... $199 is pretty darn cheap for 1GB of storage for the PPC world... Whether new stuff is coming out or not, I may just have to buy this!

Jonathan1

12-30-2002, 09:57 PM

Janak Parekh

12-30-2002, 10:04 PM

Can I ask you guy. What is the word on the general reliability of these things? I have a 340Mb Microdrive that I got about 1.5 years ago. Doing scandisks on my puter I'm starting to find bad sectors.
Has anyone else had problems with their MD?
None with my 1GB, so far. I'd guess I've also had mine for 1.5 years. I haven't run Scandisk on it for a long time, but haven't seen any need to.

They're definitely not as sturdy as solid-state. On the other hand I've pulled mine out of my sleeves many times, and no problems so far (knock on wood).

--janak

sweetpete

12-30-2002, 10:07 PM

I never had problems with my 340 MB drive, but I only had it 1 yr. before I sold it with the iPaq I used it with.

Having said that, I have heard of problems that eventually crop up with them and given that they are mechanical HDD's that are intended to be used in a mobile environment, I'm not surprised. If you use it for data storage, I recommend a good backup routine if you care about the data.

A couple pro photographers I know used them religously, but they seem to be moving to the large size solid state CF cards now that those prices are falling. You still pay more, but given that added reliability (and lower power consumption) it provides them, they can easily justify it.

For me, I want tons of cheap storage for movies and MP3's on my PPC so I may just have to pick one up. :lol:

bcre8v2

12-30-2002, 10:14 PM

Come on...
$199.00 (+ tax/shipping) is great for 1GB portable storage for PPC's, laptops, digital cameras, etc. And it comes with a PC Card adapter!

I can store almost 2000 high quality (3.3 mp) pictures or hundreds of songs! :lol:

If only someone would invent a pocketPC jukebox that can accomodate multiple CF's or SD's. :idea:

Jason Dunn

12-30-2002, 10:30 PM

Can I ask you guy. What is the word on the general reliability of these things? I have a 340Mb Microdrive that I got about 1.5 years ago. Doing scandisks on my puter I'm starting to find bad sectors.
Has anyone else had problems with their MD?

Yup, my 1 GB Microdrive is kind of squirly. Works ok in a Pocket PC for everything, but when I put it in my laptop and try a scandisk it makes strange clicking sounds and never completes.

I can't recommend the Microdrive technology to anyone - too flaky.

JonnoB

12-30-2002, 10:55 PM

Works ok in a Pocket PC for everything
Pocket PC is ok...

I can't recommend the Microdrive technology to anyone - too flaky.
but you still can't recommend it? Or you can't recommend it for anything but the Pocket PC?

dangerwit

12-30-2002, 11:20 PM

I mentioned in a different thread on this topic... I love the microdrives, but sadly, I've been through 4 of them (5?). Nothing abusive, maybe "extended" use like swapping between several machines, etc. I've had 2x1GB and at least 2x340MB drives. They start clicking loud, and it's all downhill from there. :)

If I used one again (which I don't anymore), I'd be sure to make plenty of backups and be VERY careful with them. No dropping, no shaking, etc. I'm too nervous to rely on them again.

*Phil

masaki

12-31-2002, 01:58 AM

I haven't run Scandisk on it for a long time, but haven't seen any need to.
--janak

Check out "Error correction in the IBM microdrive" here http://www.robgalbraith.com/diginews/2000-11/2000_11_01_microdrive.html.

Janak Parekh

12-31-2002, 02:25 AM

Check out "Error correction in the IBM microdrive" here http://www.robgalbraith.com/diginews/2000-11/2000_11_01_microdrive.html.
Thanks for the link. It's worth mentioning that many new IDE hard drives already have automatic bad-sector mapping, and as such should not show any bad sectors when used with Scandisk.

My point was simpler: I use my MD primarily for MP3's, and have not had a hiccup in a long time, so I haven't gone to the trouble of Scandisk'ing it.

--janak

Goosey

12-31-2002, 05:23 AM

I have a problem with my main systems hard drive :| Scandisk never completes, so I can't defrag it...

Its been like this for abou 7 months tho .. starting to notice performance hits :\ I bought a replacement HD that is twice the size, but Im too lazy to reformat and move to the new HD until my system totally DIES :D

Janak Parekh

12-31-2002, 05:56 AM

I have a problem with my main systems hard drive :| Scandisk never completes, so I can't defrag it...
Close every running program before you try doing the Scandisk/Defrag.

--janak

SassKwatch

12-31-2002, 06:28 AM

[quote=masaki]My point was simpler: I use my MD primarily for MP3's, and have not had a hiccup in a long time, so I haven't gone to the trouble of Scandisk'ing it.

I'm sorry to hear of the troubles some have been having. I've had a 1GB model for only 4-5 months, but have switched it frequently between the iPAQ and digicam, and **so far**, not a hiccup.

masaki

12-31-2002, 07:26 AM

ricksfiona

12-31-2002, 08:38 AM

Is the Silver Slider devices compatible with the Microdrive?

masaki

12-31-2002, 09:24 AM

Is the Silver Slider devices compatible with the Microdrive?

Yes, Silver Sliders accept CompactFlash (CF) I and II formats. The microdrive is CFII.