SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Non-Tech : Any info about Iomega (IOM)? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/2/1997 4:31:00 PM
From: cellhigh  Respond to of 58324
 
rr i tried but cannot retrieve that url? ?????? what the!
are you pullin now?



To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/2/1997 4:35:00 PM
From: Neil_L  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 58324
 
<<Check out the Syquest web site intro screen.

syquest.com

There is an animated fuse that is lit on fire. No mention of the product, but contrary to some reports here, I'm not an idiot. >>

I think its Syquest thats about to blow-up.

<<I'm not an idiot. >>

Thats just YOUR opinion.



To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/2/1997 8:00:00 PM
From: Frank Drumond  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 58324
 
>Jaz is history.<
>..., but contrary to some reports here, I'm an idiot.<

Q.E.D.

But seriously Rock, SparQ has a very attractive price point. However, SyQuest continues to loose big money and obsolete products at an amazing rate. Further, R&D is an incredibly low $2.6 million for the last quarter.

SyQuest is being very inventive in turning out new products on the cheap. The question is are they really creating good products or just cheap products.



To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/2/1997 8:10:00 PM
From: Brent D. Beal  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 58324
 
The day Syquest starts producing this in quantity at the indicating price point, I'll take my entire porfolio and put it in long-term calls on AOL and Amazon. . . Then I'll shave my head and move to Tibet. . .



To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/2/1997 11:34:00 PM
From: Dale Stempson  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 58324
 
Re: "SparQ is True"

Rocky, a couple of comments regarding the SparQ:

1) First of all, I agree with you that the rumors about the SparQ are almost certainly true and the drive is likely to be formally announced by Syquest for COMDEX.

2) Second, I'm surprised that many Iomega supporters do not appear to be concerned in the slightest about even the possibility of the product's existence. (Syquest will of course face major obstacles, not the least of which is actually shipping the product).

3) Third, If (BIG IF) we give Syquest the benefit of the doubt and assume they introduce the drive at COMDEX, achieve the rumored specs, hit the rumored price points, obtain the financing, do a marketing blitz, ramp-up manufacturing, avoid quality problems, ship the product and make a buck as a result... then the question becomes: How might this impact Iomega?

I believe it is safe to assume the SparQ would not impact Zip sales. The Zip's established base, OEM acceptance, low entry price and compatibility with other Zip users, when combined are simply too powerful of a combination.

So what about the impact on Jaz sales? Interestingly enough, the SyJet has struggled against the Jaz, even with excellent reviews, performance specs and price points. Would the SparQ fare better than the SyJet? Well, I believe it would. Here's a few reasons why:

Price - The entry price and the cost per MB would be more than just a little bit less, it would be a LOT less. Specs - The performance specs are expected to be "near SyJet" with disc capacity a respectable 1GB. Marketing - Syquest is planning to mount a major marketing campaign, (it appears they've learned from their past mistakes).

However, there remains one key issue that appears to have grown in importance which might keep the SparQ in check: Compatibility. The current installed base of Jaz users is now large enough to be a factor, perhaps a most important factor.

In addition, we know Iomega is spending mega-bucks on R&D. There always exists the possibility the folks in Roy could respond with a counter-punch of their own at any time. For example: reducing existing Jaz costs and pricing to a level that is closer to the SparQ would probably be enough to keep the Jaz as the preferred product.

IMO, the bottom line: If Syquest is able to execute perfectly and soon begin shipping the SparQ, the drive would probably sell very well and take a piece of the Jaz pie. Even in a best case scenario however, it would not be a Jaz Killer and would likely only slightly impact Jaz sales.

Regards - Dale



To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/3/1997 3:07:00 PM
From: Cogito  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 58324
 
>>Jaz is history. 1 Gig for $33. <<

Rocky -

The only thing that's really surprising here is that they say they'll ship this month.

I notice that the SparQ cartridge appears to be larger than either the Jaz or SyJet cartridges. That makes me believe that the SparQ is using a single-platter design.

For these two reasons it is clear that it will not be compatible with SyJet.

I do believe that this product may very well cut into Jaz sales significantly. It will also all but destroy SyQuest's one slightly profitable product, SyJet.

I'm sure all this has already been said.

- Allen



To: Rocky Reid who wrote (34262)11/3/1997 10:02:00 PM
From: Cogito  Respond to of 58324
 
>>1 Gig for $33. I'm there.<<

Rocky -

You know, it just occurred to me; you're not there. You're a Macintosh user, no? So you won't be able to use the SparQ drive, which will be available only as a parallel or EIDE device. Your Mac isn't going to be able to deal with either of those interfaces.

Or maybe it will. Perhaps you have one of those odd, hybrid Macs which do support IDE. But then, you'd have to find some way of installing your SparQ internally. Hmmm.

- Allen