Difference between Maxtor 7L300S0 and 7B300S0?

[BoB-O]

Hello,

I've looked at the tech specs and they don't look much different. I'm speculating the 'L' may stand for F'L'uid Bearings as opposed to 'B'all Bearings. Newegg seems to back that up, but I'm not sure. Anybody smarter than me know?

Thanks,
BoB

[SebRad]

Hi BoB-0, I dug around a bit on Maxtor's web site and came up with this
If I read it correctly the "L" version is more environmentally friendly in it's construction.

Seb

[OmegaZero]

ORDER INFORMATION:

Capacity________________________250GB______300GB__
Model ATA/133 16MB buffer.............7B250R0.......7B300R0
SATA/150 16MB buffer....................7B250S0.......7B300S0

RoHS Compliant Version______________________________
Model ATA/133 16MB buffer.............7L250R0.......7L300R0
SATA/150 16MB buffer....................7L250S0.......7L300S0

It appears that the only difference in those model numbers is that the "L" version is RoHS compliant. And according to them:

RoHS Compliant:
Maxtor supports the EU directive for Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). RoHS compliant versions of MaXLine III are available.

So... basically the only difference between those model numbers is that the "L" version is certified not to contain any substances that the EU has deemed hazardous.

(The information in this post was copied from the MaxLine III Series datasheet.)

[Edit: SebRad posted while I was typing. Doh! ]
[Edit2: Spelling. Doh! Doh! ]

[BoB-O]

I read that too, but I was wondering if it also referred to being "sonically" evironmentally conscious?

BoB

[bomba]

RoHS requires virtual elimination of a discrete & small number of hazardous substances in electrical & electronic equipment, including PCBs, lead & cadmium. The Europeans are driving the issue of hazardous materials in electronics, both in regards to hitting the landfills (WEEE Directive) and in regards to potential health concerns to equipment recyclers who may be grinding up old printed circuit boards and inadvertently putting hazardous materials into the air they breathe for example (RoHS Directive).

These Directives as well as proper disposal (read recycling) of electronic equipment, esp. CRT monitors are necessary. Kudo's to the Europeans for being at the forefront of their development & implementation. However, the buyer of RoHS compliant products should be aware that there are possible long-term reliability issues with lead-free solder.