IBM Produces World's Smallest Hard Drive
In a move obviously influenced heavily by the recent Austin Powers=20
movie, IBM has finished production of what they are calling the=20
world's smallest hard drive.
While we probably won't be seeing one of these in PowerBooks, this=20
comes as a major announcement for all of the mobile computing=20
industry. Not only would such a device seem a blessing to Apple's=20
upcoming MacMate PDA, but the drive is expected to be used primarily=20
for MP3 storage in the blossoming portable player market. A CNN=20
article has more details on the drive, which is being shipped to OEM=20
companies now.
The microdrive can be used for storage for digital cameras, handheld=20
computers, personal digital assistants and notebook computers, IBM=20
said. The storage disk will also be used in future generations of=20
digital audio devices for portable MP3 players.
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http://www.ibm.com/news/1999/06/171.phtml
IBM ships the world's smallest hard drive
IBM 340 MB microdrive targets digital cameras, hand-held pcs and=20
personal audio players
On June 17, IBM announced it has started shipping the IBM 340=20
megabyte (MB) microdrive, the world's smallest hard disk drive, to=20
its initial key customers.
Launching the microdrive is a strategic next step in the growth of=20
IBM's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) technology business. In=20
the last few months alone, the company has announced $28 billion=20
worth of OEM technology deals. These agreements include the sales of=20
storage components to other companies.
Now, IBM announces its next major OEM technology move -- its entrance=20
into the small form factor storage arena, with a number of companies=20
receiving shipments of the microdrive. These companies include:=20
Casio; Compaq Computer Corporation; Clarion Sales Corporation;=20
RioPort Division of Diamond Multimedia Systems; Eastman Kodak=20
Company; Hitachi; IBM Personal Systems Group; Minolta; Nikon;=20
Samsung; SANYO Electric; and Trimble. The companies are expected to=20
integrate the microdrive into their digital devices or offer it as a=20
separate storage option.
The microdrive has a disk platter the size of a large coin and weighs=20
less than a AA battery. The new device can hold: 1,000 digital=20
photographs compressed; six hours of near CD-quality audio; 300 hefty=20
novels; or the equivalent of more than 200 standard-size floppy=20
disks. IBM microdrive uses high-performance, time-proven hard disk=20
drive technology to store information. The drive has a much lower=20
cost-per-megabyte and holds more content than alternate small-format=20
storage technologies.
With its small size and industry-standard removable format, IBM's new=20
microdrive is considered an ideal storage solution for pervasive or=20
"go-anywhere" computing applications.
The microdrive has been designed for use in digital cameras,=20
hand-held, companion and notebook PCs.
"The IBM microdrive is a great storage option for users who want to=20
expand the rich capabilities of their Windows CE-based devices," said=20
Roger Gulrajani, group product manager, Windows CE, Microsoft Corp.=20
"Customers can now store even more rich content such as digital=20
images, audio, documents, and additional third-party applications=20
which enhance the power and versatility of these companion devices
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http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/diskdrdl/micro/
IBM 340 MB/170 MB microdrives and travel kits
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The IBM family of microdrives includes:
* IBM 340 MB microdrive
Model DMDM-10340
* IBM 170 MB microdrive
Model DMDM-10170
* Travel Kit for the IBM 340 MB microdrive including:
340 MB microdrive, PC Card adapter, and field case
* Travel Kit for the IBM 170 MB microdrive including:
170 MB microdrive, PC Card adapter, and field case
* All of these products include a carrying case for the IBM 340=20
MB or 170 MB microdrive
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[From the video feed of the launch, it appears to be 1/2 the length=20
of a type II PC Card, and it docks right in. Pretty amazing stuff.=20
It's CompactFlash compatible -- wow!=20
http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/diskdrdl/micro/d-spec-2.htm ]
Highlights
Offers high-capacity, high-performance removable storage with=20
capacities of 340 MB and 170 MB.
Ideal for digital cameras, handheld PCs, digital audio players,=20
notebook PCs, and other portable handheld electronic devices.
Industry-standard CF+ Type II format allows easy integration into a=20
variety of handheld products. Also compatible with Personal Computer=20
Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Type II with use of an=20
adapter.
Incorporates leading-edge IBM technologies such as giant=20
magnetoresistive (GMR) head technology, load/unload, Enhanced=20
Adaptive Battery Life Extender* 3.0, and TrueTrack* servo for maximum=20
capacity, performance, and reliability.
New markets for high-capacity, compact storage
The IBM 340 MB microdrive provides breakthrough storage capacity for=20
portable electronic devices in an industry-standard CF+** Type II=20
form factor. The IBM 340 MB microdrive allows users of digital=20
cameras to capture more high-resolution photos without the need for=20
frequent downloading of data. Handheld PC users can access more=20
applications and maintain large databases. Notebook and desktop PC=20
users can backup and transport their data more quickly and=20
conveniently.
More memory, more portability, more value
With capacities of 340 MB or 170 MB on a single hard disk drive, the=20
IBM family of microdrives offers high-capacity yet cost-effective=20
personal storage for electronic devices. And weighing only 16 grams,=20
the 340 MB and 170 MB microdrives deliver high capacity in a compact,=20
portable package, a key requirement for today's handheld electronic=20
devices -- from subnotebooks to digital cameras to new mobile=20
information products.
High performance, improved productivity
With media transfer rates of up to 45.2 Mb/sec and rotational speeds=20
of 4500 RPM, the IBM 340 MB and 170 MB microdrives offer performance=20
advantages over current flash memory. That means improved=20
productivity for users. The IBM 340 MB microdrive can improve=20
operational efficiency because users will not have to download data=20
as often.
IBM microdrives at a glance
Model IBM 340 MB microdrive/IBM 170 MB microdrive
DMDM-10340/DMDM-10170
Configuration=20
Interface CF+ (ATA and PCMCIA compatible)
Capacity (MB) 340/170
Sector size (bytes) 512
Disks 1
Areal density
(max Gbits/sq. inch) 5.04
Recording density
(max KBPI) 265.1
Track density (TPI) 19,000
Performance=20
Data buffer (KB) 128*
Rotational speed (RPM) 4500
Latency (average ms) 6.7
Media transfer rate (Mb/sec) 30.1 - 45.2
Interface transfer rate
(MB/sec) 5.2
Sustained data rate,
typical read or write (MB/sec) 1.8 (min); 3.0 (max)
Seek time - Read
Average (ms) 15
Track-to-track (ms) 2
Full-track (ms) 20
Reliability=20
Error rate
(nonrecoverable) < 1 per 1.0 E 13 bits transferred
Load/unload cycles 300,000
Power +3.3V power supply +5V power supply=20
Voltage requirement (auto-detect) +3.3VDC, =B1 5% or +5VDC, =B15%
Current (write) 300 mA 330 mA
Current (standby) 65 mA 80 mA
Power consumption
efficiency (watts/MB) 0.00215/ 0.00429 0.00353/ 0.00706
Physical size=20
Height (mm) 5 +0 / -0.1
Width (mm) 42.80/ =B10.10
Depth (mm) 36.40/ =B10.15
Weight (g) 16 (max)
Environmental=20
characteristics Operating Nonoperating=20
Ambient temperature 5 to 55=B0 C -40 to 65=B0 C
Relative humidity (noncondensing) 8% to 90% 5% to 95%
Maximum wet bulb (noncondensing) 29.4 40
Shock (half sine wave) 150 G (2 ms) 1000 G (1 ms)
Vibration
(random [RMS]) 0.67 G (5 to 500 Hz) 3.01 G (5 to 500 Hz)
Vibration (swept sine) 1 G 0-peak (5 to 500 Hz) NA
* 32 KB used for microcode