Drive Tests!(08/16/89) Done by: Mark D. ElliottInnovative Concepts (I.C.) Contrary to rumors I heard on CompuServe, about the XF551 (and XF35 Kit), as being only half as fast as the Happy or Doubler equipped 1050, I decided to do a little bench testing myself, just to get an idea of just "how fast" these drives really are. Since I just "happened" to have all the drives below, just laying around, here's what I found: Test#1 Test#2 Test#3 Disk Drive (Read) (Write) (Format)----------------- ------ ------- --------Atari 1050 (SD) 88 100 35 Atari 1050 (ED) 84 95 36 Doubler 1050 (SD) 50 64 22* Doubler 1050 (ED) 47 58 22* Doubler 1050 (DD) 37 44 22* Happy 1050 (SD) 42(50) 83(63) 23(22*) Happy 1050 (ED) 39(47) 73(58) 25(22*) Happy 1050 (DD) 35(36) 54(43) 25(22*) Atari XF551 (SD) 70 75 26 Atari XF551 (ED) 80 85 26 Atari XF551 (DD) 45 50 50* Atari XF551 (DSDD) 45 50 50* XF35-XF551 (SD) 85 90 67 XF35-XF551 (ED) 80 85 52 XF35-XF551 (DD) 45 50 67* XF35-XF551 (DSDD) 45 50 130* XF35-XF551 (DSQD) 45 50 130* * = High Speed Skew was available and used for that set of tests.Density: SD = 90K, ED = 127K, DD = 180K, DSDD = 360K, and DSQD = 720K. Notes: All times above are given in seconds, and are accurate to within 1 second. All disks used were foramatted in the SpartaDOS mode. The Happy 1050 cannot format disks in the U.S Sector Skew (Standard format time given). However, with the help of our Happy Doubler program, the Happy 1050 can be be programmed to fully emulate the U.S. Doubler, including formatting in the U.S. Skew. The times for the Happy Doubler programmed 1050, are shown in parenthesis. For the normal read/write tests on the Happy 1050, a disk formatted under the Happy Doubler program was used. Skewing was used (where applicable), to show the fastest times, under these test conditions. Test Equipment Used: A 576K-130XE with SpartaDOS X (4.20), the Happy Doubler program, standard 1050, Doubler 1050, Happy 1050, XF551, and XF35-XF551 drives. Test # 1: Read a file that is 85,750 bytes, copied from the specific drive to a SpartaDOS X RAMdisk. Test # 2: Write a file that is 85,750 bytes, copied from the SpartaDOS X RAMdisk to the specified drive. Test # 3: Format a disk, in the specified density. Obviously, the read and write times, for the XF551 or XF35'ed drive is NOT half thes speed of the Happy or Doubler! In fact, they are pretty darn close! (Don't want to mention any names, (like Bob Puff, or Tim Patrick! - <just kidding>). I would have tested the Super Archver as well this time, but one was not handy at this time. However, tests I performed on it earlier this year, showed it being just a tad slower than the U.S. Doubler. The only "slow" time I see, is when formatting the 3.5" XF35 drive. But, there is soooo much storage there (720K), that you will hardly be formatting disks that often, to begin with! Even when backing up hard drives, the amount of disks required would be a real time saver! And, those 3.5" disk are soooo neat! You Never have to worry about finding a disk sleeve. So, what do all these tests mean? Obviously, this is by NO MEANS as complete as possible! Other factors, such as; DOS used and the size of it'scopy buffer, sector copying, copying small files, and your other peripherals, will have an effect on the outcomes. However, these should at least give you an idea, of just how fast these drives are (especially when compared to a standard 1050, or even an old 810 drive, which is so sloooooow!) Other things to consider - Up until this year, the price of the 5.25" blank disks were much cheaper to buy than the newer 3.5" disks. Until this year, the 3.5" disks cost about $1 each. Currently, you can usually find decent bulk 5.25" disks, for about 40 cents or less each. However, since more and more IBMs nowadays, are sold with the 3.5" drives (in addition to the Atari ST, Amiga, and Macintosh), the price has come down to reasonable levels. Careful shopping can get you the 3.5" disks, for as little as 70 cents (or less) each. As far as using this guide to purchase a new drive or add-on for your system, these are my personal recommendations: 1) For a casual user, a U.S. Doubler 1050 is fine. 2) For routine disk maintenance and sector copying, 2 - U.S. Doubler 1050s should fill the bill. 3) For a person who wants to back-up thier commercial software, a Happy 1050 will work. Our Happy Doubler is also highly recommended. 4) For a person that does alot of disk copies, a Happy 1050 (as D1:), and a U.S. Doubler 1050 will work great. 5) For someone that wants the ULTIMATE in disk copying, then 3 or 4 Happy 1050s cannot be beat!6) For someone that wants a low-cost add-on drive, that offers alot of storage, the XF551 is a great buy! 7) For someone that wants the ULTIMATE in storage capability per drive, or for backing up a hard drive, then a XF35-XF551 will do well. 8) For someone that runs a BBS, a couple of XF35-XF551s should do just fine. 9) For a power-user that wants the most storage and the fastest read/write times, then you should consider a hard drive, as well. Notes: The XF551 or XF35-XF551 is not recommended to be used as D1: with commercial software, especially protected ones. (because they spin at 300 RPM compared to 288 for most other drives, among other things) Costs per Drive---------------Atari 1050 - $179.95 (hard to find these days!)U.S. Doubler 1050 - $39.95 + $179.95 for the 1050 = $219.90Happy 1050 - $149.95 + $179.95 = $329.90 (Happy board is no longer made!)Atari XF551 - $199.95 (great buy!)XF35-XF551 - $34.95 + $100 (3.5" w/cage) + $179.95 = $334.90 Note: The above are the suggested retail prices. Carefull shopping can get you an even better deal! So, upon closer look, the XF35-XF551 is not really as expensive (compared to the others), as one might think! And, it offers the MOST storage per dollar! Hmmmm, I started out just testing the speeds of the drives, and here I am, writing a review of them! It may seem I am a little biased towards our products, however, I am only human! <grin> Oh-well..... Features/Conclusions--------------------Atari 1050 - Single or Enhanced Density. Maximum storage = 127K. Well-built and very dependable. Uses industry standard ICs on it's circuit board (except for ROM), meaning replacement parts are easy to find. However, the drive mechanism is NOT a typical IBM type part, and can only be found at Atari-type stores. The 1050 is getting harder and harder to find these days! Atari 1050 w/U.S. Doubler - Single, Enhanced, or Double Density. Capable of formatting disks in U.S. Sector Skew, for added speed. Maximum storage = 180K. Easy to install. Excellent capabilities, at a low price. Atari 1050 w/Happy - Single, Enhanced, or Double Density. Capable of backing up commercially protected disks. Maximum storage = 180K. Easy to install. Getting harder and harder to find! Happy Computers stopped making them awhile back, and the ones they do have, were raised in price, back to $149.95! Atari XF551 - Single, Enhanced, Double Density, or Double Sided Double Density. Capable of formatting disks in a special skew (similar to the U.S. Doubler). Maximum storage = 360K. Very easy to service (if required), since it's circuit board is small an easy to follow. Uses industry standard ICs (except ROM). Also uses an industry standard drive mechanism (finally!). Atari XF551 w/XF35 Kit - Single, Enhanced, Double, Double Sided Double Density, or Double Sided Quad Density. Capable of formatting disks in the skew also. Maximum storage = 720K. Uses a industry standard 3.5" drive mechanism. Copyrights: Atari, 410, XM301, 130XE, 1050, and XF551 are trademarks of Atari Corp. ICD, P:R Connection, U.S.
