mnowak@oit.itd.umich.edu (12/05/90)
Thank you for your messages concerning 8mm (2.2G) tape backup units. Here is a summary of what I was told or discovered: o All of the 8mm video tape-based backup units use an Exabyte mechanism. This makes the purchase of an 8mm tape backup unit analog to buying a 45M removable cartridge drive: they all use SyQuest mechanisms so look for price and software features. o No one mentioned any differences between Exabyte model numbers so I assume they're all the same. o Various units come with a variety of drivers and backup software. Most come with appropriate cables. Some suggested manufacturers were: Contemporary Cybernetics (price around $3K) Third Wave Computing (price unknown) Transitional Technology Inc. (price unknown) I also found in the Nov 1990 issue of MacWorld, an article on various tape drives from: Maynard Electronics PCPC Relax Technology Tecmar The Relax Technology drive appeared to be the cheapest at $2399 (that may be an educational discount price). I don't understand why these drives vary from almost $5000 to this price, unless this price of $2399 is incorrect. I assuming that because drives are made with the same Exabyte mechanism, cheapest is best. Thanks to: Jeff Wasilko Tasuki Hirata Tom Johnson David Gutierrez MacWorld magazine ----------------------------------- Mike Nowak Office of Instructional Technology The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor