SuperDisk

SuperDisk, also known as LS-120, was a high-density floppy disk format introduced by Imation in 1997. It was designed to offer a significant storage capacity increase over the standard 3.5-inch floppy disk, which held only 1.44 MB. SuperDisk disks could store 120 MB of data, a tenfold improvement. This was achieved through a combination of higher coercivity magnetic media and improved read/write technology, including a more precise head positioning system that allowed for a tighter track pitch.

A key feature of the SuperDisk drive was its backward compatibility. It could read and write standard 1.44 MB high-density floppy disks, making the transition for users easier. This was a crucial selling point, as it meant existing floppy disk collections could still be accessed. The drives themselves were available as internal or external units, often connecting via IDE or USB interfaces.

Despite its technical advantages and backward compatibility, SuperDisk struggled to gain widespread adoption. Competing technologies, such as the Zip drive from Iomega, also offered higher capacities and had established a stronger market presence. Furthermore, the increasing affordability and capacity of CD-ROMs and CD-RWs, along with the eventual rise of USB flash drives, ultimately overshadowed the SuperDisk format. Production of SuperDisk drives and media ceased around 2003, making it a relatively short-lived but notable attempt to evolve the floppy disk.