IBM Microdrive with e740

[jimoreno]

Hi!
I juts got my e740 2 days ago and so far I can say that it is great! I'll be travelling the coming week so it came in at the perfect time.
I was looking at the IBM Microdrive while waiting for the delivary of my e740 and was actually pretty impressed by the capacity and the size (and the price too!). But when I opened up my box I found a note basically saying thatif you use it data might be lost!
Is anyone using it despite the warning?
By the way, I got for $399 at comp-u-plus, however got an inflated shipping charge ($43 for USPS Priority Mail), but even with that it was a nice buy! (I also got the expansion pack for $79)

Thanks in advance!

Jimmy Moreno
e740 /128MB CF

[BrensPDAstreet]

I use a 350 MB Microdrive with my e740 without any problem. The only way I'm able to do this without loosing data is to be sure that the wireless switch is turned off. I hope this helps.

[jimoreno]

:)

Thanks for the info!

Jimmy

[Shakumdown]

Jimmy,

I have been using my e740 with an 1.0GB IBM Microdrive for approximately 2 months with no problems what so ever. I use it with the wireless adapter enabled. I believe the data corruption problem was directed to the 350MB Microdrive.


Just FYI,

[gamoooos]

IBM microdrives are actual hard drives, unlike compact flash. This means that there is an actual mechanical disk inside that spins. What this means to you is that they consume more power than compact flash. So if you intend to use the drive on the road, prepare to have an extra battery.

[Shakumdown]

Also, consider your priorities for memory use.

1) Capacity; with microdrive you actually get advertised amount of storage, not some number below what is avertised.

2) Compatibility; the microdrive will work in basically any Type II CF slot, where their have been many reports of compatibility issues with certain manufactors of compact flash cards. Of course I am referring to recently released products, like within the last couple of years.

3) Cost; can't really beat the price per MB on the microdrive. My cost was $.22 per MB. Just recently check prices on a 1.0GB Compact Flash by Scandisk, $.70 per MB.

4) Performance; microdrive is right up there with the best solid state memory devices and better than most.

5) Power Consumption; negotiable power comsumption, willing to take extra cash saved on memory and apply to extended capacity battery.

6) Durability; solid state memory devices are much more dependable, the microdrive could not withstand the same amount of physical strain as a solid state device such as a compact flash, SD, MMC or smart card.

[Chris_Edmonds]

I've been using a 1GB IBM Micro drive in my e740 for about 4 months, with and without wireless activated, so far I've had no issues with data loss.

I keep all my data on here rather than the main memory as I've had to soft reset the e740 several times, as IE hangs and this way I don't loose any data.

[jimoreno]

Just got back from a training in Orlando, Fl.

Couldn't find a "hot spot" at the airport to try my wireless connection (spent the whole in the airport hotel, scary!)

Actually, this was a huge amount of feedback that I never expected! Great board! You'll see me around!

Thanks again for all the great info guys!

Jimmy (back to the real world!)