Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!usfvax2!jc3b21!bc
From: bc@jc3b21.UUCP (Costello)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: A clone is a clone? Zeos vs. Northgate.
Keywords: Hard disks, controllers
Message-ID: <596@jc3b21.UUCP>
Date: 9 Mar 89 18:45:13 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: St. Petersburg Jr. College, FL
Lines: 26

One day soon, I plan to purchase a '386 AT clone. I've basically narrowed
my choice(s) to either a Zeos or Northgate 16mhz '386. Both those models
would be similarly equipped. The main difference that concerns me is their
choice of hard disks.

The Zeos people use a Seagate ST-277R and an Adaptec RLL controller. This
is apparently a 65mb half-height drive. Norhtgate uses a Microscience 65mb
(or 67, or something like that), model number unknown, same RLL controller
card.

My question is this: is one of the listed drives inherently better or worse
thatn the other, and/or are either of them to be avoided like plague? I'd
appreciate any comments or experiences with these specific drives. I have
read a lot of recent postings that berate the Seagate products, but I have
also heard some real satisfied people talk about certain models. I know of
no one who has used the Microscience drive.

One other thing: are there any bad, bad things I should know about with
the RLL controller boards? I've heard some people say that the RLL system
should be avoided. If so, why?

Many thanks... either mail me replies or post 'em. I read the news often.

Bill Costello (bc@jc3b21)

voice, days: 813/576-5482 x. 272