iOMEGA Zip Drive 100 Plus

Circa 1997

An enhanced model of the original Zip 100. It featured a significant upgrade: iOMEGA's proprietary "AutoDetect" technology, which automatically configured the drive to work with either a SCSI or parallel port connection without requiring manual changes.

Use Case:

Designed to offer universal connectivity and flexibility for users who worked across multiple computing platforms or needed to share a single drive easily.

• Primary Uses: Backing up critical data, transferring large graphic or multimedia files between PCs and Macs, and providing portable, high-capacity storage when standard floppy disks (1.44 MB) were inadequate.

• Dual Interface: The main feature was its ability to connect to either a PC parallel (printer) port or a Mac/PC SCSI port using the same DB25 connector on the back of the unit. The AutoDetect feature identified the connection type automatically.

Historical Significance:

Historically significant for its pioneering attempt at seamless, cross-platform connectivity in an era dominated by competing interfaces:

• Interface Innovation: The "One drive fits all" approach with AutoDetect was a major selling point, simplifying hardware installation and configuration for consumers. This level of plug-and-play functionality was advanced for 1997.

• Market Strategy: The "Plus" model was introduced at the same $199 price point as the original was initially launched at, providing an enhanced value proposition and helping Iomega maintain market dominance in the "superfloppy" space against competitors like SyQuest.

• A Bridge to the Future: The Zip Plus served as an important bridge product during a fragmented period in computer hardware, providing a universal solution before USB became truly ubiquitous and standardized across all PC models in the early 2000s.

Included Accessories:

iOMEGA AC Power Supply.

iOMEGA Serial Cable.

NOTE: Near-Double available—iOMEGA Zip Drive 100

(H-4cm x W-13cm x D-18cm)