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Iomega Zip 100 drive

ITEM	Zip 100 removable media drive
MANUFACTURER	Iomega
MSRP	$ 100 US $ 180 CDN
RATING	7.9 /10

CATEGORY	Data storage
COMMENTS	The Iomega Zip 100 is a versatile, portable drive that lets you to store moderate amounts of data on removeable Zip disks (about 100 MB a disk).
Pro	· Portable · Easy to use · Well-designed

Con	· Drive is slow compared to other storage products · Media (Zip disks) are expensive -- about $10 ($15 CDN) each · Zip disks not really 100 MB

Additional information	· Assembled in the Philippines · Compatible with DOS 4.x and up, and Windows 3.x and up · Includes a formatted 100 MB Zip disk, "Zip Tools" software bundle, all required cables, and a set of Zip labels and stickers · Now available for USB ports · New, backwards compatible 250 MB model available

REVIEW DATE
First look	July 1999
Update	February 2000
Long term	August 2000

Style & design	9 /10
Fit & finish	8 /10
Ease of use	8 /10
Functionality	8 /10
Documentation	7 /10
Value	7 /10
Reviewer's ranking	8 /10

At first glance, the Zip drive looks like a device out of a science fiction movie, with its chiseled, angular lines and rugged, industrial styling. But the deep blue box is no Hollywood prop.

Housed inside the finely pebbled plastic casing are the guts of the world's most widely used removable storage drive.

The front of the drive is dominated by the disk slot set into the unit's hollowed out face, which makes it easier to handle the 100 MB Zip disks. The slot is also equipped with a spring-loaded drop down door to keep dust particles out.

To the right of the slot is a squat, round, feather-touch disk eject control, and a pair of status lights above the button: a green 'power on' indicator, and an amber drive activity light.

The status indicators wrap to the top edge of the unit to improve visibility from different viewing angles, and a colorless, transparent window lets you read the label of the Zip disk in the drive at any time.

Carved into the side of the case is a groove that extends halfway along the unit's length from the rear edge. The groove flares into a cavity toward the Zip drive's mid-point, where the recessed socket for the power connector resides. The groove itself neatly retains the power cord to keep it from dangling, and the plug rests flush with the side of the Zip drive when it is connected.

On the drive's rear are a pair of ports: one parallel port to connect your Zip drive to your computer through the included cable, and a pass through parallel port connection for the printer cable.

One of the Zip drive's notable feature is the set of six gray rubber feet that wrap around three edges of the casing. They are designed and positioned in a manner that lets you either rest the drive flat, or stand it up on its side, a position the drive maintains with surprising stability.

This kind of attention to detail is a hallmark of the Zip drive, and it extends to the included installation software and Zip Tools package.

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