First Impressions--Imation 2x SuperDisk Drive

"I just received my 2X Imation drive. I'm giving my 1X to my daughter to use when she gets her iBook. I got my 1X right after I got my rev/A iMac. It must have been in the first shipment. Here's my first impressions of the two drives. MacsOnly! carried a comparison of specifications of the two drives months ago and I will not repeat them here.

I backed up about 50 Mgs of data from my hard disk tonight using Retrospect 4.1A1 (not the Retrospect Express 4.1 that comes bundled with the 2X drive, which I also will give to Meredith unopened, in its shrink-wrap). The 1X drive usually starts out at a high transfer rate and then falls rapidly to settle at about 15Mbs/min. The 2X drive settled in at about 25Mbs/min, then actually increased in rate to 27+. It was transferring at 30Mbs/min. when the read back was finished. So, the performance is close to 2 times the 1X. You recall that Imation said at the time of the 2X drive announcement that twice the performance of the 1X was theoretical but unlikely due to inherent limitations of USB. They indicated actually performance might be increased by 70%. That is borne out by my experience.

My 1X drive sounds raspy, like its bearings need grease. The 2X is quieter and smoother sounding. The 2X transformer is bigger and apparently puts out more current although the housing above the power socket of both drives is marked 5 volts. The USB cord from the drive is now shielded (wire braid).

I simply unplugged the 1X drive and plugged in the 2X. I'm running Mac OS 8.6 with the latest and greatest software updates. I didn't need the Imation installer CD that also comes in the box.

It's a winner, Bill. "