CVSI can provide advice regarding model selection, together with installation and post-installation support for all tape drives listed. The table below is purely comparative, and should be used with care.

CVSI can also offer trade-in and disposal services for existing tape units.

 

Device	Media	Native Tape Capacity	Compressed Tape Capacity	Data Transfer (mb/sec)	Remarks
3490 (18 Track)	½" cart	0.2gb	0.6gb (3:1)	3	IBM/STK
3490E (36 Track)	½" cart	0.8gb	2.4gb (3:1)	6	IBM/STK
3570 Magstar B	½" cart	5gb	15gb (3:1)	2.2	IBM
3570 Magstar C	½" cart	5/7gb	15/21gb (3:1)	7	IBM
3580 Ultrium	½" cart	100gb	200gb (2:1)	40	3580, 3581, 3583, 3584
3580 Ultrium2	½" cart	200gb	400gb (2:1)	80	3580, 3582, 3583, 3584, #5755
3580 Ultrium3	½" cart	400gb	800gb (2:1)	160	3580, TS2230, TS3000
3580 Ultrium4	½" cart	800gb	1600gb (2:1)	240	3580, TS1040, TS2340, TS3000
3592-C20	3592	700gb	2100gb (3:1)	260	TS1120
QIC (MLR1)	¼" cart	16gb	32gb (2:1)	1.5
QIC (SLR60) *	¼" cart	30gb	60gb (2:1)	5	7207-330, #4684
Exabyte	8mm	5/7gb	10/14gb (2:1)	1	7208, Models 2, 12, 2xx
Exabyte (Mammoth)	8mm	60gb	150gb (2.5:1)	12	7208-345, #6134
VXA	VXA-2	80gb	160gb (2:1)	12	7206-VX2, #4685
VXA	VXA-3	160gb	320gb (2:1)	12	7206-VX3, #4688
DVD-RAM	DVD	4.7gb	9.4gb (1.8:1)	2.7	7210, #4633

© CVSI, 2007. E&OE

Note *: This is the unit supplied as standard on i520 Express processors.

For the purposes of comparison, the data transfer rates quoted are maximum values, as quoted by manufacturer, and assume that the tape adapter installed actually supports the maximum data transfer rate quoted. (Particularly important for LTO Ultrium, where there's a few banana skins to avoid).