IBM Ultrastar 73LZX

IBM Ultrastar 73LZX Capacities Model Number Capacity IC35L009UWD210 9 GB IC35L018UWD210 18 GB IC35L036UWD210 36 GB IC35L073UWD210 73 GB Lowest Real-Time Price: Introduction Over the course of SR's existence we've become accustomed to SCSI drive announcements right around November in Comdex's spotlight. Last year however, something strange happened... despite breakthrough after announced breakthrough, increases in areal densities actually hitting production-level devices have slowed. As a result, nigh-venerable names such as Atlas 10k III and Cheetah 73LP still represent current-generation products.

Though its been shipping for a bit, IBM's Ultrastar 73LZX undeniably hit the scene much later than competing products from Seagate, Maxtor, and even Fujitsu. The drive was announced on October 24th 2000. One year later at Comdex 2001 I lamented to an IBM representative that we could not obtain the drive from Big Blue itself or from any other distributors. Ironically, in our link to IBM's press release, we commented that a lower areal density than the competition may perhaps allow the 73LZX to hit the channel sooner. Oops!

The Ultrastar 73LZX is IBM's entry into the contemporary 73 GB low-profile 10k RPM drive sweeps. Unlike the competition that features 18 GB platters, the 73LZX utilizes platters storing 12 GB each, requiring six disks to reach its flagship 73 GB capacity. IBM specifies the drive's seek time at 4.9 milliseconds. A four-megabyte buffer rounds out the offering.

As a 10,000 RPM drive available in Ultra160/320 LVD/SCA and FCAL interfaces, the Ultrastar 73LZX squarely target's today's high-performance server market in addition to high-end workstations with heavy disk access. A 5-year warranty backs the drive.

Let's see how this long-awaited unit stacks up against the competition.