Computer Briefs

San Diego — Iomega's new HDD 160GB external hard drive is now available at retail. The $199 storage device has 7,200RPM disk speed and connects to a PC through its USB 2.0 port. It will work with USB 1.1 ports, but the data transfer rate is much slower then the 25MBps attained with the Hi-Speed USB connection. The drive comes bundled with Iomega's Automatic Backup software, which automatically backs up the system as the files are updated. Iomega also announced the availability of a 256MB USB flash-memory drive. The Micro Mini256MB was scheduled to ship in late May with a $89 suggested retail price. Iomega also unveiled the Super DVD Writer 12x dual format drive that can also burn to DVD+R dual layer media. The drive supports the DVD+/+RW and DVD-R/-RW formats with respective write, rewrite and read speeds of 12x, 4x, 16x and 8x, 4x and 16x. The drive ships this month with a $249 suggested retail.

Fremont, Calif. — Antec has added to its entry-level Solution Series of PC kit with the introduction of model SLK2650-BQE. The chassis is equipped with a 12mm fan, 350-watt SmartPower power supply, four 5.25-inch drive bays, four 3.5-inch slots and two front-mounted USB 2.0 ports. It is now shipping with a $79 suggested retail.

Fremont, Calif.— Plextor has started shipping the ConvertX PX-AV100U video-capture device. The $79 item connects to the video source via the video and audio inputs and links to a PC through a USB 2.0 port. The PX-AV100U captures video in MPEG-1 video CD or MPEG-2 DVD format. Other features include direct–to-disc burning and software allowing basic editing.