To the dismay of some users, Apple stopped including floppy drives with its PowerBook G3-series once the second version (aka 'PDQ') began shipping. This left PowerBook users with no means of transferring or backing up files except for over the internet or on a network. Luckily, VST
Technologies has stepped-in with a SuperDisk module to fill the gap Apple so
brazenly left open for removable media in its PowerBook line.
The VST SuperDisk drive provides all the functionality of a standard SuperDisk drive capable of reading and writing both regular floppies and 120 MB SuperDisks while coming in an ultra-light (110 ounces) and compact form factor that clicks reassuringly into either the left or right expansion
bay. The drive comes with a CD containing the relevant drivers and documentation. The copy of the CD that I received, however, came with outdated drivers and the latest version had to be downloaded from VST's web site, although the address for downloading drivers provided in the manual was incorrect (download the latest version here).
Users looking for a fast removable storage median are in for a surprise with the SuperDisk drive. It took roughly 6-10 seconds to mount either
the included SuperDisk or a regular floppy disk, accompanied by a fair
amount of noise. Copying files back and forth was also painfully slow.
The promise of SuperDisk drives is that they are functionally two drives in
one, which is true, but the performance hit is enough to make one question
the usability. Granted, SuperDisk drives are convenient for those needing to lug their PowerBooks around the country and have both floppy and
higher-capacity media, but they are too slow for serious gameplay, too slow
for multimedia presentations, and too slow for any type of QuickTime
playback. Also, SuperDisks aren't bootable -- a serious drawback.
The only real functions SuperDisks could be used for are basic backups or
file transfer from one SuperDisk drive to another. Backing up is limited to only more critical files, though, as the multi-GB hard drives that the PowerBooks come with would take dozens of SuperDisks to back up.
Basic file transferring would theoretically work fine if there was an acceptable installed base of users, but SuperDisk drives have yet to catch on in most work places and environments.
The manual's addendum stated that programs using
multiple-floppy installers might not work with the SuperDisk drive. Although I wasn't able to test this out (everything comes on CDs these days), hopefully VST will address this potential problem in a future driver update.
VST has done a flawless job with bringing SuperDisk technology to PowerBook G3 users. Unfortunately, the fault with the drive lies not in its execution but in its technology. The drive carries an SRP of $220 which is $10 less than the VST Zip Drive. While ClubMac is offering the drive for $149 after rebate (expires 7/1/99), unless you absolutely need floppy disk compatibility go for the VST Zip drive module instead.
NOTE: VST has also released a right-bay only SuperDisk drive
for the new Lombard PowerBooks. Pricing and availability are expected to be
roughly the same as the Wall Street drive.
