[comp.sys.mac] Microtech hard disks

malquistp@byuvax.bitnet (11/19/88)

Does anyone have experience with the Nova 40 or Nova 80 hard disks from
Microtech?  Their ads indicate they're a very fast drive (19 ms access time)
and the price seems very good, especially with a 5 year warranty.  I'd
appreciate hearing about any experiences (positive or negative) with the
company and with their hard disks.

Thanks,

Paul Malquist                           Bitnet:   MALQUIST@BYUVAX
Brigham Young University                Internet: MALQUISTP@YVAX.BYU.EDU
Academic Computer Facilities

lad@eplrx7.UUCP (lad) (11/21/88)

From article <275malquistp@byuvax.bitnet>, by malquistp@byuvax.bitnet:
> Microtech?  Their ads indicate they're a very fast drive (19 ms access time)
> and the price seems very good, especially with a 5 year warranty. 

MicroTech drives are not sold with a 5 year warranty.  It's an option they
charge extra for.  Try finding that information in one of their ads.

/lad


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sage@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (David Martosko '91) (11/22/88)

In article <45@eplrx7.UUCP> lad@eplrx7.UUCP (lad) writes:

>MicroTech drives are not sold with a 5 year warranty.  It's an option they
>charge extra for.  Try finding that information in one of their ads.

Actually, I bought a Nova 30 earlier this year, and it did come with a
5-year warranty...nothing extra to pay.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed herein are mine!  All MINE!!! *heh*
  David Martosko                         E-mail:sage@eleazar.dartmouth.EDU
  Dartmouth College HB 2216               Phone:(603) 640-4753
  Hanover, NH 03755

xxiaoye@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (11/22/88)

In article <11077@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU> sage@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (David Martosko '91) writes:
>In article <45@eplrx7.UUCP> lad@eplrx7.UUCP (lad) writes:
>
>>MicroTech drives are not sold with a 5 year warranty.  It's an option they
>>charge extra for.  Try finding that information in one of their ads.
>
>Actually, I bought a Nova 30 earlier this year, and it did come with a
>5-year warranty...nothing extra to pay.

Well, Dartmouth made a deal with MicroTech, and sold the drives with the 
educational discount.  For Nova 30, the price was about $605, with the 
five year warranty. LAD maybe right in saying that you have to pay extra
for the warranty if you buy Novas on the market.

In December MacUser, I saw an ad by Microtech in which they listed their
Nova 30 at $569 (about) which is CHEAPER than the "educational price" that
Dartmouth has right now.  Well, I think the difference here is the FIVE
YEAR WARRANTY, otherwise Dartmouth would have complained long time ago.


I bought Nova 30 when Microtech first marketed it a year ago.  I've been 
satisfied with its performance, which is about average.  The only gripe 
that I had was its noise.  HOWEVER, a friend of mine bought a Nova 30
recently, and I have noticed some SIGNIFICANT improvements:

           o   Noise level is LOW, comparable to new SE fan.
           o   The new drive weighs about one half of mine(very light)
           o   Better software (well, which still sucks)
           o   Elimination of several glitches here and there.

The Nova Drives are cheap and reliable.  I think that its 30 meg model
is the cheapest on the market right now.  Besides, its 30 meg model is actually
33 meg after formatting (unlike some 20 meg models which give you 18 meg
after formatting).  For people who wants to buy an average capacity
drive, get Nova 30.

Special Disclaimer: I am a student, and would love to be affiliated with
                    MICROTECH (such as internship ...etc), but ...
"VOX CLAMANTIS IN DESERTO" -- ahh, who else do I speak for!
__________________________________________________________________________
Xiaoxia  Ye               Internet/Bitnet    xxiaoye@eleazar.dartmouth.edu
Dartmouth College                    UUCP:   Xiaoxia.Ye@dartmouth.edu

ephraim@think.COM (Ephraim Vishniac) (11/23/88)

In article <11085@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU> xxiaoye@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Xiaoxia  Ye) writes:
>In article <11077@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU> sage@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (David Martosko '91) writes:
>>In article <45@eplrx7.UUCP> lad@eplrx7.UUCP (lad) writes:

>>>MicroTech drives are not sold with a 5 year warranty.  It's an option they
>>>charge extra for.  Try finding that information in one of their ads.

>>Actually, I bought a Nova 30 earlier this year, and it did come with a
>>5-year warranty...nothing extra to pay.

>Well, Dartmouth made a deal with MicroTech, and sold the drives with the 
>educational discount.  For Nova 30, the price was about $605, with the 
>five year warranty. LAD maybe right in saying that you have to pay extra
>for the warranty if you buy Novas on the market.

>In December MacUser, I saw an ad by Microtech...

At the bottom of that ad, in the fine print, it says,

	"The five year warranty is offered at no additional cost on
	 hard disk drives sold and delivered in the United States
	 or Canada.  Certain restrictions and exclusions apply. Terms
	 and conditions of the five year limited warranty available
	 upon request."  (December 1988 _MacUser_, page 215.)

The ad gives the price of a Nova 30 internal as $479, external is
$569.  Another rumor dies an untimely death...

Disclaimer: I have no connection with Microtech and I haven't the
foggiest what the "terms and conditions" of the warranty actually are.
Call them if you really want to know.

Ephraim Vishniac					  ephraim@think.com
Thinking Machines Corporation / 245 First Street / Cambridge, MA 02142-1214

     On two occasions I have been asked, "Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put
     into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?"