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MagStor’s Thunderbolt 5 LTO Drive: A New Era for Tape StorageExploring the Benefits of Enhanced Speed for Tape TechnologyPricing Details Remain Under Wraps, Anticipated to Be High
In a significant advancement for data storage technology, MagStor announced the launch of the world’s first Thunderbolt 5 LTO tape drive, following its pioneering Thunderbolt 3 model released in 2020. This new iteration aims to combine the reliability of traditional tape storage with the high-speed connectivity of modern interfaces.
The release of the Thunderbolt 5 LTO drive represents a progressive move towards offering robust backup and archival solutions tailored for professionals who manage large datasets. Tape technology has long been celebrated for its durability and extensive capacity, making it a staple in sectors such as media production and enterprise IT.
MagStor’s integration of Thunderbolt 5 seeks to enhance the efficiency and speed of connections between tape drives and contemporary computing systems, thereby catering to data-intensive workflows.
Enhanced Speed Capabilities
This newly introduced drive is compatible with both macOS and Windows platforms. While Thunderbolt 5 promises an elevated bandwidth capacity compared to earlier versions, it is important to note that the data transfer speeds of tape drives ultimately depend on the LTO format itself.
Although detailed technical specifications have yet to be disclosed, it is expected that the new model will support LTO-9 tapes, maintaining the same capacity of 18TB native and 45TB compressed as its predecessor.
There is currently no confirmation regarding the compatibility with the forthcoming LTO-10 tapes, anticipated to debut in the second quarter of 2025 with native capacities of up to 36TB and 90TB when compressed. Not incorporating this support could represent a missed opportunity for users looking for future-proof solutions.
Thunderbolt 5 is capable of achieving astonishing data transfer speeds, reaching up to 80Gbps in standard mode and even 120Gbps when utilizing Bandwidth Boost mode.
Industry experts anticipate that LTO-10 tapes will offer reading speeds around 472MB/s, surpassing LTO-8’s 360MB/s and LTO-9’s 400MB/s, highlighting the potential for performance improvements with the new technology.
MagStor plans to launch the Thunderbolt 5 LTO drive by the end of 2025, though pricing information remains undisclosed. Given the market positioning of its previous models, it is likely that this new device will come at a premium.
The existing LTO-9 Thunderbolt 3 model is available for $6,299, prompting speculation about whether the enhancements offered by Thunderbolt 5 will justify any potential price increase.
Tim Gerhard, Vice President of Product at MagStor, commented on the innovation, stating, “At MagStor, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in data storage. After revolutionizing the market with the first-ever Thunderbolt 3 LTO drive, we’re excited to raise the bar again with Thunderbolt 5, ensuring our customers have access to the most powerful and flexible storage solutions available.”
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