June 20
IBM Takes Microdrive to 1 GB
Quarter-size hard drive expected to appear in digital cameras

by David Nagel
Executive Producer

IBM says it's tripling the capacity of its smallest hard drive—the IBM Microdrive—to 1 GB. The drive—not just a disk, but a complete mechanism—is smaller than a matchbook, weighs less than an ounce and will be available for less than $500, according to an IBM press release. Limited quantities of the 1 GB Microdrive will begin shipping in July to OEMs and distributors. Retail shipment is scheduled for September. There will also be a 512 MB version.

IBM says several companies have already announced plans to integrate the Microdrive into their devices, including digital camera manufacturers like Kodak, Fuji, Nikon and Ricoh.

The current line of Microdrives ranges in capacity from 170 MB to 340 MB. It's compatible with ATA and PCMCIA specifications and offers data transfer rates up to 4 MB per second. For more information, visit http://www.ibm.com.