IBM 1GB Microdrive
At the size of a quarter, the IBM 1GB Microdrive is the smallest hard drive in CompactFlash form factor. I remember that the first hard drive I had was only 32MB in storage size, but its physical size was 5 1/2" and weighted several pounds. Compared to my first hard drive, the IBM 1GB Microdrive is unbelievably small!
My old hard disk whines and chews even when it is not in use. On the other than, the IBM 1GB Microdrive is also extremely quiet. It powers itself down when not in use and spins up only when data is read or written to the drive. To hear its soft whine, I have to hold my Canon D30 digital camera very close to my ear while the drive is spinning. Vibration due to its spinning disk is almost non-existant.
The IBM 1GB Microdrive comes in CompactFlash Type II form factor. The Type II is slightly thicker than the Type I form factor. Therefore, your digital camera or CompactFlash reader must support CompactFlash Type II in order to use the IBM 1GB Microdrive. As an example, I was unable to use the Microdrive in my Olympus C-2500L digital camera that only supported CompactFlash Type I cards.
At the time of this writing (2002-11-26), the IBM 1GB Microdrive is the most inexpensive 1GB CompactFlash storage medium, megabytes-wise. It beats all 1GB solid-state CompactFlash's in megabytes per dollar. Even the 512MB solid state CompactFlash's, which became popular recently, still cost a bit more than the IBM 1GB Microdrive, megabytes-per-dollar-wise.
Related Links
- An Introduction to FAT 16/FAT 32 File System
- CompactFlash Association
- CompactFlash Frequently Asked Questions
- Controlling a CompactFlash+ Slot
- Embed a Hitachi Microdrive
- Hitachi Buys IBM's Hard Disk Drive Business - Plans To Sell 4GB Microdrive in the Fall 2003
- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
- Hitachi Microdrive 340MB, 512MB, & 1GB (DSCM) Datasheet
- Hitachi Microdrive 3K4 digital media Datasheet
- IBM Microdrive
- IBM Microdrive 340MB, 512MB, & 1GB (DSCM) Datasheet
- Iomega Microdrive
- Microdrive Compatibility Matrix - Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
- Microdrive Storage Devices
Reviews
- Canon IBM 340MB Microdrive Travel Kit for PowerShot Pro 90 - Amazon User Reviews
- HITACHI 6GB Microdrive MD6GBBP - Amazon User Reviews
- HITACHI MD2GBA 2GB MicroDrive 3K4 with Travel Kit - Amazon User Reviews
- HITACHI MD4GBA 4GB MicroDrive 3K4 with Travel Kit - Amazon User Reviews
- IBM 1GB Microdrive Compactflash with PC Card Adapter - Amazon User Reviews
- IBM Microdrive 340MB
- IBM Microdrive 1GB with Compact Flash Card Adapter - Amazon User Reviews
- Less is More: The IBM microdrive CompactFlash Type II Hard Drive
- Magicstor 2.2gb CF + Type II Microdrive - Amazon User Reviews
- Microtek 340MB Microdrive - Amazon User Reviews
- Microtech / Hitachi 2 GB Microdrive (without PCMCIA Type II Card adapter) - Amazon User Reviews
- Pexagon MD4GBBP Microdrive, 4GB, Hitachi, Blister - Amazon User Reviews
- Review: IBM's 1GB Microdrive
Discussion
Latest Discussion
All Discussions
