JAID Systems has announced the release of what it calls the first fully-native ATA-133 external hardware RAID system. The company is offering the system in 320 and 480GB capacities with mechanisms operating at 5400RPM, and also has an “ultra-high performance” model featuring 7200RPM mechanisms with a capacity of 320GB.
JAID Systems explained that other ATA and FireWire RAIDs depend on ATA to SCSI or ATA to FireWire conversion systems. Not so with the JAID Media System, which features fully-native ATA. The enclosure itself stands 11 inches high, 5.5 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
The JAID Media System connects to the Mac through a PCI expansion card interface. The company said that the JAID Media System works with Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. It’s compatible with all PCI-based Power Macs (and most PCs, too, if that concerns you).
The JAID Media System runs US$1,499 for 320GB and $1,999 for 480GB. Volume and educational discounts are available.