Seagate's Barracuda 36ES2 SCSI Drive

Don't you hate it when the OEMs get the fun stuff before we can get our hands on it? Seagate is now touting its new Barracuda 36ES2, an 18.4 GByte and 36.9 GByte entry-level SCSI disc drive that will only be offered to channel resellers, distributors, system integrators, and VARs. Seagate says the Barracuda 36ES2 is intended for use in entry-level workstations and server systems, or for upgrading existing SCSI products. The 7,200-rpm drive will be available in an Ultra160 SCSI interface as well as a single-ended Narrow SCSI interface. It has an acoustic rating of 2.0 bels and 350 G's non-op shock. Seagate says the drive's the SoftSonic FDB motor and "sound barrier technology" create idle acoustics inaudible to the human ear, though its been a while since I could hear a hard drive over the din of the case and processor fans. The company also says that the Barracuda ATA IV's 3D Defense System technologies make the drive tougher, just in case you're a little less than careful with installation or happen to move your machine around a lot. The 3D Defense System Drive Defense includes Seagate's G-Force Protection system, SeaShield, and SeaShell. G-Force Protection is an approach to making drive components like the motor, heads, head-arm, clamp, and discs less susceptible to shock events. The drive is also encased in a shock-ribbed, transparent enclosure called SeaShell that limits a drive's exposure to electro-static-discharge (ESD) and protects against external shocks and stress. The Barracuda 36ES2 will be available in both 18.4 GByte and 36.9 GByte capacities for $215 and $350 respectively. Actual street prices will vary. The Barracuda 36ES2 will be in volume production during the first quarter of 2002 with limited customer evaluation units available this month.