IBM always said that the enhanced version of the 3480 tape drive would precede the new disk drives, and yesterday it duly announced its Improved Data Recording Capability control unit feature for the 3480, saying it can increase the effective cartridge data capacity by up to five times and the effective data rate by up to 70%, depending on operating environment and data set characteristics. It will be standard on new 3480s and as a field upgrade for existing ones. It adds $15,000 to the price of an A11 or A22, and is $17,500 as a field upgrade, and $21,700 on an A22 as a field upgrade only, and will be available in the US September 29.
