CompuServe Thread

Re: "It seem to me…the transfer rate is more important than the seek time, so the double spin drives would have a big noticeable advantage. Am I missing something here?" No, you are quite right — up to a point, Shelly. For MPC compatibility the transfer rate must be a sustained 150Kb/s with a bit more mumbo-jumbo about CPU power that you don't really need to concern yourself about. Most — not all, but most — drives have that now. The new Mitsumi certainly does. That's necessary for smooth animation and such. Having said that there is a real question about whether two or four times the transfer rate makes that much difference, at least in terms of animation. It seems as if many publishers — realizing their works are going to be used on 150Kb/s machines program their material to work well at that. I have a machine even slower than that and the Microsoft animations are fine, some problems with some others. With 150Kb/s, you will have a good machine. With 300/600Kb/s you will have a better machine at twice or four times the price. It's questionable whether they are worth it for average home use right at the moment. Cheers!

According to PC Sources,and we checked it, if you make full use of double spin, you are looking at a 92 minute advantage. Gee thats worth at least $300-$400. But not in my book. Frank Harris Computron, Ltd.