More on the SyQuest SparQ 1.0 Gb removable disk
First, the errata. In my last message (https://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2958521), I said that the utilities and demo software take up 228 MB of the 956 MB capacity. That was wrong. It leaves -free- 228 MB. Of course, you can delete the demo-ware to get most of the capacity back.
I went to see my mother and hooked up the SparQ to her Toshiba 430 CDT laptop. Her first reaction was, "Wow, I have to carry that around in China?" referring to the mass of the SparQ. Like I said in my previous post, the SparQ drive (as well as SyJet, Zip, and Jazz drives) are a bit bulky and heavy for traveling. In this respect, I think the Shark drives (250 MB capacity) would be a better choice.
I bought the SparQ 3-pack for $99 at CompUSA. I was disappointed to find that one of the disks was not properly formatted. Moreover, I encountered a few more times when the cartridge did not seat fully. I'm starting to wondering if QC might have been relaxed to meet production demands.
Finally, the performance on the Toshiba laptop seemed slower than on my dekstop PC. Of course, her laptop generally felt a llittle slower, so it may just be the system. I didn't check very carefully, however, sice I ran out of time.
Lest it seem all negative, I should point out that installation was very simple. The drive worked like a charm on the first try. And now, my mother has an effective way to backup her laptop -- she can back up her entire system onto a single SparQ cartridge.
I realized today that SyQuest has a unique price-point advantage over the Jax drive: it only costs $300 for 4 GB of storage. SyQuest should run a special promotion to trumpet this fact, something like: $275 for 4 GB ($199 SparQ drive pack + $99 3-cartridge pack - $ 25 mail-in rebate).
Now THAT would be something! |
