Compact Flash versus Microdrive !! very long post.
Which is better ? I've read all the three threads that deal with microdrives but none of the information seems definitive.
Power Consumption
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I would love the microdrive and dont mind the one-time price hit for the 340 MB disk. however, i've heard reports about power consumption going from "microdrive will give 15% less time than CF memory" all the way to "microdrive sucks the battery dry".
Any feedback by users ?
Physical Misalignment
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From what I've heard, the microdrive does not fit perfectly into epod's CF slot bcos of mechanical design problems with the ePod. The CF memory modules dont seem to suffer from this. I am comfortable with opening the pod and taking the door out.
Usage pattern
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I want the microdrive for mp3 usage :) I've got 6 gigs of mp3s. However this option is tied to the power consumption question. Music implies continuous access to the CF media which means that the microdrive could run down the battery.
Speed of usage
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Which one is faster ?
A quote from the IBM site http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/diskdrdl/micro/datasheet.htm
"With a maximum sustained data rate exceeding 4 MByte/sec, the IBM Microdrive provides a significant performance improvement over current flash memory". Specs indicate sustained thruput = 2.6 MBytes/sec (min) to 4.2 MBytes/sec (max).
DSCM-11000 1 GB CF+ Type II 3600 RPM
DSCM-10512 512 MB CF+ Type II 3600 RPM
DSCM-10340 340 MB CF+ Type II 3600 RPM
DMDM-10340 340 MB CF+ Type II 4500 RPM
DMDM-10170 170 MB CF+ Type II 4500 RPM
For SanDisk CF: between 4.0 MB/s to 6.0 MB/s for a burst. Not clear what the sustained thruput is. Source: http://www.sandisk.com/download/mmc.cf2.pdf
Interoperability between CF Type I and CF Type II
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CF type I cards (3.3 mm thick) are designed to fit into all CF type II slots (5.0 mm thick) but not the other way around. Type I and Type II are electrically identical. Source: http://www.compactflash.org/faqs/faq.htm
All microdrives are Type II.
Most memories modules are Type I.
Physical mishandling
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Microdrives - can do 175 G (for 2 ms) while in operation; 1500 G (for 1 ms) while not in operation. 175 G is like a drop from a few inches above ground while 1500 Gs is close to a 7 foot drop. http://www.storage.ibm.com/hardsoft/diskdrdl/micro/datasheet.htm
CF memory modules are designed to withstand 2000 Gs i.e. 10 foot drop http://www.compactflash.org/faqs/faq.htm#shock
Kingston can withstand 1,000Gs of shock. http://www.kingston.com/flash/compfl.asp#prod
I need to decide between 340 MB micro and 128 MB Kingston.
A big thanks to all the guys who've made this hacking so accessible.
