Quantum Fireball AS...long-awaited review pending...

[Leo V]

This disk should leave all IDE disks in the dust. Quantum has always made some of the fastest IDE disks--and this one has 20GB/platter density @7200RPM, not to mention Quantum's trademark <7.5ms seek time (for an IDE disk).

Keep checking here:
StorageReview

Depending on these results, I'll either get a SCSI Quantum 10K II (18GB is all I can afford), or 40GB of splendid AS, no pun intended. Call me a Quantum zealot, but I can't resist mail-in rebates from such a great company.

 

[urbantechie]

I'm waiting.......

 

[xtreme2k]

man i knew the AS will rock

just that it was supposed to be out in October
now it still isnt

I couldnt wait and got a 75GXP for now...
I think iwill get the AS also, and 'retire' my 34GXP

 

[Leo V]

Yeah, I have a Fireball LM to get rid of...it's total overkill for my family!

 

[JellyBaby]

So the product name is &quot;Fireball Plus AS&quot;? Add an extra &quot;S&quot; at the end and that's quite a unique title!

Any idea what capacities will be offered? I'm looking for a mate for my 30G 75GXP and if this puppy is faster, quiet and cool I may bite.

 

[Leo V]

There will certainly be 40GB and 60GB versions, very possibly a 20GB and 30GB. Hopefully Quantum will offer mail-in rebates, just like on all their other disks.

 

[xtreme2k]

I think prolly
20/40/60G

due to its 20G platter
unlikely to see 4 platter these days
even 3 is pushing it since they want low seek time

 

[xtreme2k]

Actually, looking at the PDF i downloaded from Quantum about the AS, a few months ago when i was doing some research on HDD, they have

10.2G
20.5G
30G
40G
60G

seek time was 8.5ms on the PDF :<

what I am interested is this special Hydrodynamic Bearing version of the drive
they will be sold at higher price than then normal bearing version
but a bit quieter

 

[Leo V]

Interesting, I definitely need the quieter version...

Ever since Fireball KA, the Quantums were rated <8.5ms. Actual tests consistently measured their actual times at 7-7.5ms, so it's reasonable to expect equally good results here.

 

[LXi]

Im more looking forward to Maxtor's DiamondMax Plus 60, but thats just me. The Fireball Plus AS will rock.

 

[BoberFett]

I'm on my second Fireball now. I had an EX, which was pretty fast for it's time. Now I've got the Plus LM which I like. I'm pretty interested to see what Quantum can do.

 

[pillage2001]

Is it out yet??

 

[AndyHui]

Just came out in Japan, will be out in Hong Kong in the next week or so.

Storage Review are about to review it.

 

[xtreme2k]

I think it was supposed to be out in late Oct

but suddenly Maxtor came in and it got delayed I think

 

[Kwad Guy]

I sure hope Quantum can make this new drive even LOUDER than their
current Fireball line. Those drives are nice and noisy, but sometimes
if I run the vacuum cleaner and stereo at the same time, I can't
hear it. Hopefully, the new drives will be just a wee bit louder so
I can hear them at all times.

Or maybe they can mount a speaker on the drive to amplify the noise
level. That is, if they haven't already. It's hard for me to tell.

Kwad

 

[Leo V]

That's an interesting idea...

My primary concern is spinning (idle) noise. Hopefully the Hydrodynamic-bearing version will be quiet inside my silencer enclosure.