Based upon my experience with this product, I highly recommend Zip drives in principle. They provide consolidation and back-up points for files scattered throughout many conventional floppy disks, facilitate the storage of large files (particularly visual) that would not make it on floppies, and liberate hard drive space.

As for this product in particular, its portability is an obvious asset. I also highly recommend it for those who don't want to disembowel their computers and literally risk getting their wires crossed. Although I can't speak for those with other systems, installation was quite easy on Windows 98. This device also works quite smoothly, accepting files from my floppy disks and hard drive rather quickly.

The ejection of Zip disks is not too much of an inconvenience; I just place a hand or finger in front of the drive when it happens (After fifteen minutes of inactivity, the drive will eject disks automatically.). And, even though my desktop system doesn't have the appropriate "iMac" look, the Zip drive still looks quite stylish!

No Zip Disk Included (Rating: 3.00)
Review : This drive does not include any blank media. There is Iomega software included on an installation CD-ROM, but the product is sold without a Zip Disk.

Click of Death (Rating: 2.00)
Review : I bought this product in November,2000. Now in October 2001 it is getting the infamous "Click of Death". I don't use it on a daily basis or for business. My last Zip lasted for 5 years before it stopped spinning the disc. This stinks.

There are better Zip drives out there (Rating: 3.00)
Review : As it makes little sense for the 100mb to be the original Zip you put on a new system anymore, most people who buy this product will probably be upgrading from an old parallel version. To be sure, it is an improvement on that device. It's noticeably faster. But it's smart for only a couple of very specific kinds of user.

The first is the "Backup Bandit". If you only use your zip drive for routine, automated backup of files that fit easily onto a single 100mb disk, it's unlikely you need much more than this device.

The second is the "I've-had-a-Zip-for-years Geek". If you have a huge library of Zip 100 disks already amassed, and the average file size is above 10mb, then there's an argument to be made for staying with this product. Notice that I'm talking here about a library of truly BIG files, typically graphics. If all you have is a massive library of text documents, you shouldn't fear switching over to the Zip 250 at all.

In my opinion, anyone else should go for the USB version of the Zip 250, and add on a FireWire adapter when it becomes available.

Why?

Well, the Zip 250 USB with FireWire is simply the most flexible Zip out there. You can use it on literally any system that has at least USB ports, can achieve the lightning speeds of internal SCSI Zips if the computer has FireWire ports--and you don't have to sacrifice a scrap of portability. While the Zip 100 here can be fitted out with a FireWire adapter, it can't use Zip 250 disks. True, the Zip 250 is mysteriously slower than a Zip 100 if the files are something above 10mb. But you'll never notice the difference with the vast majority of files. What you will notice if you spend any time seriously archiving your work is how nice it would be to have a little bit more room on a 100mb disk. The Zip 250 solves that problem by giving you a lot more room to play in. In particular, the 250s are obviously better-suited to sharing larger multimedia files between computers, or even between platforms. Finally, the 250 simply LOOKS cooler. Those looks even translate into utility, because its trim profile really does make it a little easier to carry.

In fairness I should point out that the 100mb appears to have a substantially lower price tag. But it's not, really. You pay on average 1.5 times as much for Zip 100 disks (per megabyte of storage space) than for Zip 250s. Long term, your storage savings with a Zip 250 more than make up for the up-front difference between the two models.

Two Years Old and Going Strong (Rating: 5.00)
Review : Mine's been working flawlessly since I bought it in early 2000. I understand the newer models are bus-powered. If for some reason you can't have a power strip, that's a concern, but I do wish the AC adapter was smaller.

Gotta love the way it shoots non-Iomega zip disks half way across the room, too!

I recommend this drive for low-cost, low demand storage and backup. Now if only zips would come down in price...