History (1995): Quantum DLT2000XT Tape Drive From 10 to 15GB

The DLT2000XT tape drive from Ouantum (Milpitas, CA) is an extension of the DLT2000.

The 5.25-inch product features a longitudinal tape cartridge with a native capacity 50% greater, expanded from 10 to 15GB, and the same transfer rate of 1.25MB/s. These figures double with data compression. Any file can be accessed in 60s as opposed to 45s for the previous model.

Ouantum will offer an option of a 5- or 7-cartridge model.

The enhanced drive boasts a head life of 30,000 hours, a tape cartridge life of 5 million passes and an MTBF of 80,000 hours at 100% duty cycle.

The unit is read and write compatible with all prior models of lower capacity drives, specifically the DLT2000, DLT600 and DLT260.

DLT2000XT is available at list prices starting at $4,200 from Quantum integrators, including ADIC for libraries, Andataco for tape arrays, Applied Digital Systems and Overland Data.

Some rumblings among European distributors suggest nevertheless that Quantum will have enormous difficulty meeting the demand for DLT drives.

This article is an abstract of news published on the former paper version of Computer Data Storage Newsletter on issue 92, published on September 1995.

Note: You can find now the DLT2000XT for $199 at MGtape.com.