Storage Wars

Storage Wars — Looking for a gigabyte-sized removable drive for backup or file storage? TidBITS Contributing Editor Matt Neuburg was, so we spent time at Macworld Expo comparing Iomega’s Jaz (1 GB now with a 2 GB drive coming soon), SyQuest’s SyJet 1.5 GB drive, and the forthcoming 2.1 GB Orb drive from newcomer Castlewood Systems. After conversations with company representatives, we realized that the differences boiled down to price and popularity, as well as – potentially – speed and reliability. The SyJet 1.5 currently costs the least, particularly with the $249 show special that included two cartridges. The 1 GB Jaz drive is the most ubiquitous, with over one million units sold, making it the best choice for compatibility and trading files. And, the new Orb drive (when it ships) will be the cheapest, fastest, and roomiest, and it may have the best reliability due to a simpler mechanism (though early units of removable drives often have problems).

So, for individual backup, the SyJet 1.5 GB appears to be the drive of choice, and the 1 GB Jaz drive looks ideal for those who work with service bureaus. The Orb drive, if it lives up to its promises, may compete seriously with the SyJet 1.5 for individual use (especially because the Orb’s $30 cartridges are significantly cheaper than cartridges for the other two), though it could take time to become popular in service bureaus. [ACE]

<http://www.iomega.com/product/jaz/>

<http://www.syquest.com/products/m_syjet.html>

<http://www.castlewoodsystems.com/>