<<SparQ is one of the top selling products>>
this is just one of many-
March 01, 1998, Issue: 903 Windows Magazine
Section: Reviews
Removable 1GB Drive Sparkles
James E. Powell
SyQuest lights a fire with the launch of its latest removable-storage offering,
the SparQ 1.0, a 1GB drive for just $199. That's the same price as Iomega's
ZipPlus, reviewed below, and $200 less than Iomega's 1GB Jaz. Built in the
image of SyQuest's 1.5GB SyJet, the SparQ uses affordable $33 cartridges
(in a three-pack) and provides excellent performance for a parallel port
device (with printer pass-through)
SparQ's performance is notable, especially for a parallel drive, boasting a 12-
millisecond average seek time. It took just 33.5 minutes to copy 500MB
from the SparQ to itself-that's a rate of 14.2MB per minute. (The SparQ
IDE drive we tested briefly at press time copied at an even more impressive
44.8MB per minute.)
The SparQ comes with the EZBackup software found in other SyQuest
products. Fast (nearly 40MB per minute) and simple to use, it handles the
basics. SyQuest also includes the more powerful NovaDisk SE, which has a
verify step and scripting capabilities. NovaDisk backed up at 23.4MB per
minute, verified the data at 19.3MB per minute and provided a log file.
The SparQ "starter" cartridge and installation diskette contain the setup
program. After installation, the drive appears as a "removable disk" in
Windows Explorer. The power button is located on the side of the unit. On
the front of the unit, you'll find a power light, an eject button and an activity
light (which is the only way to know this very quiet drive is working)
Removable storage solutions abound today. However, the SparQ's easy
installation, excellent pricing, good backup software and solid performance
earn it a spot on our WinList. Though not as fast a performer as the Iomega
Jaz drive or its SyJet 1.5GB sibling, the SparQ is less costly than either, and
its disks are one-third the price of Jaz disks. For cost-conscious removable
storage, it's a solution that should spark your interest.
--Quick View--
SyQuest SparQ 1.0
Bottom Line: Great price and performance for 1GB removable storage
Price: $199
Platforms: 3x, 95, NT
Pros: Price; performance; capacity |
