CD-ROM Has a New MO

Plasmon's phase-change drive combines a 4X CD-ROM reader with 650 MB of rewritable data storage

Andrew Froning

A new modus operandi for CD-ROM readers may change the way we store and transfer large files. This emerging breed of phase-change devices combines a 4X CD-ROM reader with high-capacity optical storage. Plasmon Data Systems (along with other vendors soon to follow) recently introduced the PD2000e , a phase-change model priced below $1000 with an external case and a SCSI adapter. Panasonic has also announced its dual-function models, with prices as low as $499 for an internal unit.

A number of technologies compete in the removable-medium market. The Plasmon cartridge retails for under $60, for a cost of 9 cents per megabyte of storage. Syquest cartridges hold a max imum of 270 MB at roughly 25 cents per megabyte. Magneto-optical (MO) drives support a maximum of 230 MB of storage on 3 1/2-inch disks and cost about 9 cents per megabyte. All these systems use proprietary storage methods. Recordable CD-ROMs store up to 650 MB of data at roughly 6 cents per megabyte.

The Performance Stick

We used NSTL's InterMark low-level benchmark to assess the PD2000e's performance as a CD-ROM reader and as removable storage. For comparison, we also tested a Western Digital 1.26-GB hard drive and a Syquest 105-MB removable drive.

As shown in the chart , the transfer rate of the Plasmon is one-third that of the hard drive, and its random-access time is more than 10 times slower. Compared with the Syquest 105, the PD2000e achieves similar transfer rates but considerably slower random-access times. These slow speeds relegate the PD2000e to the role of a backup device or secondary storage.

The CD p erformance of the quad-speed drive is typical of such devices. The PD2000e and a NEC MultiSpin 4X supported almost identical transfer rates, but when running at 600 KBps, the Plasmon drive used up more CPU resources.

We installed the unit on a variety of platforms without a hitch: Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation, DOS (with ASPISYS drivers), and on the Mac.

The random-access feature of the phase-change medium makes the PD2000e much more practical than tape. The large capacity of the PD2000e exceeds that of MO drives for second-tier storage, and the cartridges also work well for moving a work environment from one machine to another (provided both systems house phase-change drives).

What's more, if phase-change CD-ROM drives reach critical mass on the desktop, we could end up with a universal medium for transferring large files to coworkers, clients, and prepress houses or across the sneakernet.

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

Plasmon Data PD2000e.......................PC: $749
..........................................Mac: $689

Plasmon Data Systems
Milpitas, CA
(408) 956-9400
fax: (408) 956-9444

http://www.plasmonca.com

Circle 1134 on Inquiry Card.

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Plasmon Performance

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Plasmon Data PD2000e

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Plasmon Data's phase-change PD2000e. The unique cartridge can hold a standard CD-ROM disc or a 650-MB rewritable cartridge.

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Andrew Froning serves as managing editor for NSTL Publications. He previously reviewed MO drives for NSTL's PC Digest. You can reach him on the Internet or BIX at editors@bix.com .