>> If the SparQ holds true, I think they'll put a big dent into Jazz Drive sales. Like who would be crazy to buy a 1 GB cartridge for $99 retail when you could buy a SparQ for $33??? <<
If SparQ ever becomes a reality, all disk drive makers will be in trouble. Why pay $300 for 4 gig when you can have it for $120!? Personally, I think it's irresponsible for SyQuest to announce SparQ without any technical specifics. What were the break-thrus that made it possible? It reminds me a lot of MicroSoft's pre-announcement of vaporwares to deter potential customer from buying competitor's product that is available *NOW*. I am sure some day a drive with SparQ's capacity and price tag will become available, SyQuest or otherwise, but it is not just "around the corner" as SyQuest claims.
My prediction: at Comdex Rocket will be introduced in a glass box with a target shipping date of "mid 1998". Then in August of 1998, it will be pushed back to the "end of the year" due to extended beta testing. Then in November 1998, Rocket will be shown at Comdex with a higher price tag and a shipping date of "first quarter 1999". By then, it will have to compete with the 4gig Jaz drive which has an installed base of some 5,000,000 (older) Jaz drives.
Yikes |
