Sony AIT-3 tape drives deliver up to 260 GB capacity in a compact 3.5-inch form factor. Sony AIT-3 tape drives offer high data transfer rates of 12.0 MB/s native and 31.2 MB/s with 2.6: 1 compression for today's most demanding data storage environments. Sony AIT-3 tape drives are fully backward read and write compatible with both AIT-2 media, 36 GB and 50 GB data cartridges, and AIT-1 media, 25 GB and 35 GB data cartridges. Backward compatibility helps protect your investment in the valuable data you already have stored on previous generation AIT data cartridges, while delivering the increased capacity and performance of AIT-3 technology. A 64-Kbits memory chip embedded into the data cartridge provides high speed file location and file access. Sony AIT tape drives incorporate a redesigned head geometry, reducing head/tape pressure and delivering up to 50, 000 hours of head life. The built-in Super Head Cleaner mechanism results in an industry leading MTBF rating of 400, 000 POH. This item is non-returnable.