San Diego-based Cipher Data Products Inc claims to have the first low-cost 3490 compatible half-inch cartridge tape drive that incorporates IBM Corp’s Improved Data Recording Capacity as a standard feature. Using the IBM data compaction, the Cipher TapeXpress Model T490 is claimed to provide from 4Gb to 8Gb or more of unattended back-up at speeds of up to 290Mb per minute. It reads and writes the IBM 3480 format using IBM’s 18-track parallel recording, and existing TapeXpress T480 drives will be upgraded to read and write IDRC tapes. The drives, designed for the desktop office environment and requiring no noisy fan, cost from $13,000. TapeXpress T490 evaluation units will be available by late 1991 and first customer shipments are set for early 1992. A 36-track IBM 3490E-compatible drive will be available in mid-1993.
