The Xcarét Pro-99 Expansion Bay Drive is designed to work in 500 and 400MHz versions of Apple’s FireWire-equipped PowerBook G3, as well as the 400 and 333MHz versions “Bronze keyboard” models of Apple’s PowerBook G3.
The Xcarét Pro-98 Expansion Bay Drive is designed to work with 1998-manufactured models of Apple’s “Wall Street” PowerBook G3 — 300, 292, 266, 250 and 233MHz models are supported.
MCE notes that the Xcarét Pro 48GB drives are available now in limited quantities; larger quantities are expected by the beginning of September.
The new Xcarét Pro models feature new IBM-built hard disk drive mechanisms that operate at 5400 RPM. The drives feature Drive Noise Suppression System (DNSS), which replaces the traditional ball bearing design featured in older hard drives with a new fluid dynamic bearing spindle motor and voice coil motor dampening enhancements. MCE explained that these technological improvements equate to reduced noise, better shock tolerance and better reliability.
The MCE Xcarét Pro-99 will fit in the right expansion bay of the 1999 PowerBook G3 series. The MCE Xcarét Pro-98 will fit in either the right or left expansion bay of the 1998 series PowerBook G3s. MCE notes that the drive uses native Apple hard disk drivers to operate, so no extra software is required to get the drives to function. The Xcarét Pro drives can also be used to boot the PowerBook, if necessary. The drives are Mac OS X compatible.
Either model is available for $799. That price includes the drive, owner’s manual, and a protective carrying case. MCE provides a one-year warranty.