Storage For All Needs

CERTANCE TAPESTOR DAT 72 EXTERNAL
A longtime leader in data storage and backup technologies, Certance recently improved its TapeStor DAT 72 drive. The drive is a perfect fit for the SMB market, especially with its backward read-write compatibility with previous Digital Data Storage (DDS) generations.

Each data cartridge is 72 Gbytes in capacity and is based on a 2:1 compression ratio with a 7-MBps transfer rate. However, these values are dependent upon several factors independent of the drive, such as the processing speed of the host system, the type of data being compressed and the backup software being utilized.

To provide a total backup solution, the device is bundled with TapeWare XE backup software for any Linux or Windows platform, single server or workstation. Certance also includes a 72-Gbyte data cartridge and cleaning cartridge for the drive.

Specific tasks such as immediate or automated backups, reports, diagnostics and client setup are fairly easy to navigate using the software. The software also assists in creating and modifying backup scripts and file selection. Performance of the drive varied by file type. Testing was error free, and automated backups were carried out as scheduled. Factoring in the key attributes of portability,ease of installation and use, as well as reliability, the TapeStor is priced right and comes with a bountiful assortment of bundled software.

OTHER WORLD COMPUTING 60-GBYTE MERCURY ON-THE-GO
This 60-Gbyte drive is a solve-all solution for transporting files between computers and/or adding storage space to any computer.

Weighing only 11 ounces and small enough to fit in a coat pocket, the device runs at 7,200 rpm and features an 8-Mbyte buffer. The unit has FireWire and USB 2.0 connections.

Test Center engineers evaluated the unit in a variety of multimedia and storage scenarios, downloading digital files directly from a host PC and transferring numerous types of data files between computers. The drive varied in performance depending on the testing scenario. The Mercury On-The-Go drive was connected to a Sharp Actius RD10 notebook running Windows XP. The notebook immediately detected the device, and a virtual hard drive was created once the drive was formatted using Disk Manager. Other World Computing is historically a Macintosh-focused vendor, but the Mercury is plug-and-play with any Mac or Windows platform, and there's no need to restart the computer after installing the drive.

SAMSUNG SM-352 CD-R/RW AND DVD DRIVE
In today's highly price-competitive market, quality hardware is practically being given away. Samsung Electronics' SM-352 CD-R/RW and DVD combination drive, a prime example of this trend, costs only $99 and is a must-have given its bang for the buck.

The drive offers 24X CD rewriting, 52X CD-ROM reading and 16X DVD-ROM reading. The Test Center found that the device had no difficulties reading standard CD-ROM, CD-R or CD-RW formats. The drive also handled recording, reading and rerecording of various media with ease.

The drive, which has an IDE/ATAPI interface, was easily installed into an open bay and required no extraordinary installation procedures. Using the latest version of Nero 5, a 606.5-Mbyte data CD was created in 4 minutes and 23 seconds.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS

>CERTANCE TAPESTOR DAT 72 EXTERNAL
PRICE: $1,299
WARRANTY: 3 years
DISTRIBUTORS: bell Micro, Ingram Micro, Synnex, Tech Data
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Certance offers solution providers on-site training, joint sales calls and marketing assistance and has a two-day replacement program. Pre- and post-sales technical support are available via an 800 number from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST.

>OTHER WORLD COMPUTING 60-GBYTE MERCURY ON-THE-GO
PRICE: $429.99
WARRANTY: 1 year
DISTRIBUTORS: Direct from vendor
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: Woodstock, Ill.-based Other World Computing provides sales training over the phone or the Web, along with limited technical materials. Joint sales via conference call are also available to solution providers. Other World Computing provides technical support over the phone from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST or 24x7 via e-mail.

>SAMSUNG SM-352 CD-R/RW AND DVD DRIVE
PRICE: $99
WARRANTY: 1 year
DISTRIBUTORS: ASI, D&H, Ingram Micro, MA Labs, Max Group,

MicroLand, Synnex, Tech Data, TSR
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

CHANNEL OVERVIEW: Irvine, Calif.-based Samsung Electronics provides frequent incentives, spiffs and reward points to solution providers in its Power Partner program. Field-based sales representatives provide sales support, and dedicated toll-free tech support is available.