As an iMac user I run across a few tidbits that I hope others may find useful whether you are considering buying one or you already own one. I use one at the office and really like it.
Thought you might like to know about this in case you are considering an iMac.
Bill
USB TO SCSI IS JUST A CABLE AWAY
One of the biggest complaints among potential Apple iMac customers is the machine's lack of a SCSI port to connect their existing external SCSI devices, such as scanners, hard disks, and the rest of the digital peripheral mix. As told to the Connected Crustacean, Microtech International will soon ship a converter cable that allows users to connect SCSI storage devices to a standard USB port like the one on the iMac. The Microtech Xpress USB cable is a USB-to-SCSI converter that targets the hundreds of thousands of new iMac owners who may own older SCSI peripherals, such as hard drives, SyQuest drives, CD-ROM drives, or Iomega Zip and Jaz cartridge drives.
As Crusty sees its, with a suggested retail price of just $79 the USB-to-SCSI converter is an affordable solution, filling the void left by the iMac's connectivity limitations. And the device will also work with other USB PCs that need to connect SCSI devices--at least it will as soon as it has the appropriate software drivers.
As Microtech sees it, the lack of iMac SCSI is a perfect opportunity. "The iMac is exclusively configured with a USB port for peripheral devices and does not allow SCSI connectivity," said Al Conte, director of digital imaging products at Microtech. "While some manufacturers are offering USB-compatible products, the majority of Mac storage devices on the market are SCSI. In addition, many users have SCSI drives from other systems that they would like to use on their iMacs or even share in a small workgroup. The Microtech Xpress USB is a welcome expansion option for any iMac owner."
The converter is designed as a cable with a standard USB connector on one end and a male SCSI DB25 connector at the other. The SCSI connector attaches to the external drive and the hot-swappable USB connector plugs into the CPU or hub. The connector supports up to seven devices in true plug-and-play fashion, recognizing devices on the fly without requiring users to restart the computer. The Xpress USB is fully compliant with the USB specification version 1.0 and delivers a maximum data throughput rate of 1.2 MBps.
Find out more at http://www.microtech.com.
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