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Tape Drives

About Tape Drives

A tape drive is one of the crucial devices for computer data backup and archiving purposes. Just like a tape recorder, a tape drive also records content on a loop of celluloid like material. It can be read as well as erased. Let us explore the varieties available in the market.

A tape drive is one of the popular data storage devices that writes and reads data on magnetic tape. People generally use it for archival data storage purposes. It is a bit unlike the hard drive as it offers sequential access storage. In addition to that, a hard disk drive can move to any position on the disk in milliseconds, but in the case of the tape drive, it must physically wind tape between reels to read a particular data. When it attains the required position, it streams data swiftly. In early computers, these drives used to be prime storage medium as other drives were expensive. On this page, we will explore much more in detail so that you can pick the best. Towards the end, you will also find some tips to buy a tape drive online in the UAE. 

Things you need to know about tape drives  

The tapes were cheap in the past times, so they were the main storage medium in early computers. Some systems ran the operating system on drives like DECtape. These drives may even use advanced data integrity techniques, such as multilevel forward error correction, linear serpentine layout, etc., to write data to tape. They often couple with autoloaders and tape libraries so that multiple tapes can be loaded and uploaded. You can establish the connection between the computer and tape drive through USB, SATA, FireWire, and many other interfaces. Read on to explore more details on them.

LTO tape drive

Linear Tape-Open or LTO is a magnetic tape data storage technology that came into existence in the 1990s. It came as an open standards alternative to the proprietary magnetic tape formats in use at that time. The big names in computers are Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Quantum control the LTO Consortium. However, there are many manufacturers and vendors. However, a magnetic cartridge is the standard form factor that can take 2.5TB of data. Its lifecycle of 15-30 years ensures protected storage. Error detection and correction are two strong advantages the best LTO tape drives come with.

Pros & cons of tape drive storage

Almost all computer parts or accessories come with some advantages and shortcomings. Similar is the case with tape drives. Their benefit is that they have a large capacity for storing data. The next one is that they are economical, especially when you compare them with the cost of the hard disk. It also has a good storage life in comparison to other popular storage devices. However, as you know that the tape drives store data sequentially, so the user can access specific data only by starting at the beginning. It needs to be rolled through the tape till the required data is located.

HP tape drives, IBM TS2280, & other popular drives

Tape storage is pretty much in demand today due to the increasing risks of data loss. Popular computer drives have always been a scalable and economical storage method. The inexpensive and durable HPE tape storage solutions with LTO-8 technology deliver faster and offer long-term data availability. It will also save you money. You can choose from a wide range of options at IBM with a low cost of ownership. The IBM TS2280 Drive uses next-generation LTO Ultrium 8 cartridges to store up to 30 TB of compressed data per cartridge. It is twice the previous generations.

Tips on how to buy Tape Drives online in Dubai

It can be a complicated purchase for people who are not frequent buyers of computer accessories. When you browse through the numerous options in the market, it may leave you in a big confusion. It comes in many options that differ based on brands, specifications, price, and more factors. However, if you keep certain factors in mind, you will be able to pick the best. If you find it tough to choose one, here are some tips to help you.

  • Go for a trusted brand – Brand is an important consideration when choosing not just a tape drive but any storage device or computer part. Choosing a trusted brand like HP and IBM will help you get a reliable and durable device in hand.
  • Understand types of tape drives – There are different types of tape drives available in the market as per the application. Some of the common ones are QIC, 4mm DAT, 8mm tape, and LTO. Different drives may come with different specifications. For example, QIC is the oldest and is used for backing up personal computers or small networks. The newest LTO, Ultrium-3, has a capacity of 800 GB on a single tape.
  • Shop for it online – You can buy it from any physical retail or online computer accessories store. However, if you seek variety, it is good to go to online stores. It will help you get many options at your fingertips. There are chances that you will get the exact drive you are looking for.
  • Compare prices – Tape drives may also differ in prices. If you have budget restrictions, you should compare prices before finalizing the purchase. The good news is that you can do it right here on Shops.ae.

If you have understood all the details well, would you like to explore the best collection? On Shops.ae, you can find assorted options having different varieties, price ranges and brands. You can pick from the best brands in the industry like HP, IBM, Quantum, Veeam, Storagetek, Tandberg, Dell & many more. Whether you are searching for a cheap LTO tape drive or any other variety, you can find many options here. Moreover, it is easy to compare features and prices to find the best under your budget. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and go for the best now!

Question & Answer

Why are tape drives so expensive?

Not all of them will be expensive to purchase. Like hard drives, if you move towards high capacity or technologies, the cost will go up. These drives may even use advanced data integrity techniques, such as multilevel forward error correction, linear serpentine layout, etc., to write data to tape. There are many innovations in tape capacity, and hence it adds up to the cost. If you want cheap options, then you should look for older drives or low capacity.

Where to buy tape drives online in the UAE?

If you want the best drives online in the UAE, then you have reached your destination. Here on Shops.ae, it’s easy for you to find a wide assortment of options of different brands and price ranges. Moreover, you will be able to set choices to filter down the options. On our retail search engine, there are over 500 trusted stores. So, you will have a lot to pick from. Also, you can rest assured of the quality they offer as these are reliable stores. So, go ahead and start exploring now!

Which tape drive should I buy?

Buy a drive that best suits your requirements. Since they come in a wide assortment of options, you should keep certain factors in mind, such as the trusted brands in this domain, your budget, your capacity requirements and more. This will help you choose not just the best but also the appropriate type. If you search for the best brands, you can go for popular brands like HP, IBM, Dell, etc. There are some factors you will find in the tips section to choose the best.

We hope that this guide helps you choose the best quality options. If you are thinking about where to start, you will be glad to know that you do not have to go anywhere else. Here on Shops.ae, you can find a wide array of the best external tape drives and other computer accessories. You can even filter down your choices by using filters. Moreover, you can set your budget, brands preferences and more to find the exact varieties you look for. So, go ahead and start exploring!

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