ibm microdrive question(s)?

[NYIllustrator]

I saw the IBM microdrive on a website and my question is, what is it exactly? Its not a 1 gig CF card is it? It looked like a real hard drive about the size of two quarters!! My second question is, how does it hook to the ipaq and do you need special drivers or cables for it? Also is there such thing as a 1 gig CF card, and if so where can I get it? If not whats the biggest CF card available?

[Luciano U. Werner]

The name says it all: it's a micro hard drive. You connect it directly to the port on the CF jacket (no wires).<br>The biggest CF card that I know of is 256MB (almost bought one, but stayed with a 128MB).<br>Never heard of a 1GB CF. I think you're makeing confusion with a 1GB microdrive. A 5GB (Toshiba, if I'm not mistaken) came out (or is going to come out soon) some weeks ago.

[Matt Keys]

you can get up to 512mb cf card, I am sure they could make bigger if there was the demand, but there isnt(at least not that much)

[NYIllustrator]

So the Microdrive plugs directly into the compact flash slot on the sleeve just like a normal CF would?

[Luciano U. Werner]

Yup. No fuss no mess.

[RICoder]

Well....not EXACTLY no muss no fuss...but close.<br><br>It sucks down power and they are prone to 'failing'.  But, that's jus the IBM version.  I hear that the Toshiba is more reliable...but there is still that power consumption thing.

[NYIllustrator]

What do you mean by failing? As in breaking down for good?

[randall]

yeah. That's why I have deterred from a microdrive and favor CF mem cards.<br><br>Its one thing to lose movies and unimportant crap like that. But If I create an image on my PPC and don't transfer it to my laptop immediately, I increase my chances losing it forever (hard reset, accidental deletion, corruption, overwriting). This chance increases by using an IBM microdrive, simply because it is prone to failure.<br><br>I can't take that kind of chance.

[Luciano U. Werner]

They have moving parts. Everything that moves, one day breaks down. A CF card won't break and doesn't suck up all your battery juice.

[Chris Edwards]

my microdrive broke... and tech support is being a bitch about it.. not good.

[Luciano U. Werner]

I'm hapy to know that (not for you Chris, of course). I was thinking of buying a microdrive but opted for a CF card instead. And WAY more cheaper too. Pitty I couldn't get the 256MB one.

[RICoder]

Didn't moose go through a bunch of them too?<br><br>I'll stick to my 512mb flash card.  Faster access anyway.  Plus it works in my reader, my PPC, and my camera.  Woot for me!

[NYIllustrator]

wow thanks for the info! I'm glad I didnt rush out and get a microdrive, I couldve lost alot of illustration work that way. Looks like Ill just go for the 512mb card, I already have a 256.

[jongjungbu]

My microdrive broke too. Sent it off and got it back in a week. Much faster then my Casio.

[Chris Edwards]

i lost my proof of purchase... trying to get a copy of it back...