Q: Can you provide details about the new LS-120 diskette technology?

The LS-120 diskette drive is an exciting new advancement in the personal computer market. The following background information highlights some of the key features of the technology.

• The LS-120 diskette drive is a new technology that enables users to store 120 MB of data on a single, 3.5-inch diskette.

• The new diskette technology represents a capacity increase of more than 80 times over the standard 3.5-inch 1.44 MB diskette.

• The LS-120 drive is completely backward compatible with the installed base of over 10 billion 3.5-inch diskettes. It reads and writes 1.44 MB and 720 KB DOS-formatted diskettes as well as the new 120 MB format. The technology also includes embedded support under the new Windows 95Ö (OSR2) and Windows NT™ 4.0 operating systems.

• LS-120 technology delivers up to five times the performance of standard 1.44 diskette technology, significantly increasing user productivity.

• NOTE: LS-120 diskettes cannot be read or written in 1.44MB drives.
• LS-120 technology increases user productivity.

  Users can:

  • Transport large files on a single diskette
  • Download and save Internet and network information
  • Store large or multiple work-in-progress files on a single diskette
  • Save color, sound and motion files without compression
  • Store and retrieve fax images, E-mail and phone messages
  • Save hard disk space
• LS-120 technology was developed by Compaq Computer Corp., Matsushita-Kotobuki Industries, Ltd. (MKE), Imation Corporation, and O.R. Technology.

• While the LS-120 diskettes and drives look much the same as the standard 1.44 MB diskettes and drives, the technical differences are substantial. A comparison of key specifications follows:

  	LS-120 technology	Standard technology
  Formatted capacity	120 MB	1.44 MB
  Max. sustained transfer rate	565 KB/sec	63 KB/sec
  Average seek time	70 msec	84 msec
  Disk rotational speed	720 rpm	300 rpm
  Track density	2,490 tpi	135 tpi
  Number of tracks	1,736 X 2 sides	80 X 2 sides

More information on LS-120 is available on the LS-120 page of our site.

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