Quantum TM12A012 1280MB IDE front view Quantum TM12A012 1280MB IDE front view
Quantum TM12A012 1280MB IDE front view Quantum TM12A012 1280MB IDE front view
Quantum Fireball TM top view Quantum Fireball TM top view
Quantum TM12A012 angled view Quantum TM12A012 angled view
Quantum TM12A012 1280MB IDE front view
Quantum TM12A012 1280MB IDE front view
Quantum Fireball TM top view
Quantum TM12A012 angled view

Quantum

Quantum Fireball TM12A012 – 1280MB | ATA-33 IDE | 4500RPM | 3.5" | Legacy HDD

$99.95

Brand New, Factory Sealed | In Stock | Bulk Orders Available

The TM12A012 is a 1280MB ATA-33 IDE hard drive featuring 4500RPM, 128KB cache, and 12.0ms seek time in a 3.5" form factor. Built for mid-1990s desktop PC systems, it is ideal for legacy system restoration, vintage computing projects, and embedded industrial applications. Compatible with 40-pin IDE bus connectors on motherboards and IDE-compatible adapter boards. This drive features 400,000 hours MTBF with start/stop cycles rated for 40,000 cycles, making it exceptionally reliable for continuous operation in industrial environments.

All products from Anand International ship brand new and factory sealed. Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers.
Specifications
  • Manufacturer: Quantum
  • Model: TM12A012 (Fireball TM 1280AT)
  • Capacity: 1280MB
  • Interface: ATA-33 IDE
  • Spindle Speed: 4500RPM
  • Cache: 128KB Dynamic
  • Form Factor: 3.5" Slimline
  • Seek Time: 12.0ms average
  • Latency: 6.7ms rotational
  • MTBF: 400,000 hours
  • Drive Type: Desktop Legacy
  • Warranty: 90 days
  • Shipping: Free domestic US shipping
  • Condition: Brand New, Factory Sealed
Product Features
  • 128KB dynamic cache buffer for improved performance
  • Factory configured as Master with jumper settings
  • Cable Select support for simplified configuration
  • PRML 16/17 recording method for data integrity
  • 224-bit Reed-Solomon ECC for error correction
  • 6.67MB/s internal, 16.67MB/s external PIO4 transfer rates for fast data transfers
  • Lift/Lock/Park head management technology
  • Low power consumption: 6.4W during seek, 3.7W idle
  • Direct replacement for legacy systems requiring IDE/ATA connectivity
  • 90-day Anand International warranty on all legacy stock
  • Free domestic US shipping included
  • Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers
Compatibility

Compatible with 40-pin IDE bus connectors on PC motherboards and IDE-compatible adapter boards. Supports master/slave configuration with other IDE drives. Not compatible with SATA controllers or modern systems without IDE support.
Shipping & Returns
  • Free Shipping: We currently offer free Economy Shipping within the continental U.S. with no minimum order required. Expedited shipping is available at standard carrier rates.
  • Same-Day Shipping: Order placed before 2PM PST will ship the same day. Orders received after this time will ship the following business day.
  • Hassle-Free Returns: If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return it within 10 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.

1280MB IDE 4500RPM 12.0ms Seek Factory Sealed

Why the TM12A012 is the Right Legacy Drive

The Fireball TM series represents Quantum's mid-1990s desktop drive technology, delivering reliable performance for vintage computing and legacy system applications. With 4500RPM spindle speed and 400,000-hour MTBF rating, this drive provides the authentic performance characteristics needed for period-correct system builds. The 128KB dynamic cache and PRML recording method ensure optimal data throughput for era-appropriate workloads.

Authentic Mid-90s Performance

4500RPM spindle speed with 12.0ms average seek time delivers the exact performance characteristics expected in vintage PC systems. 128KB dynamic cache provides period-appropriate buffering for optimal legacy software compatibility.

Universal IDE Compatibility

Works with standard 40-pin IDE connectors on motherboards or adapter cards. Ships configured as Master with full Cable Select support for easy integration into multi-drive systems.

Industrial-Grade Reliability

400,000 hours MTBF rating with 40,000 start/stop cycles ensures dependable operation in demanding environments. 224-bit Reed-Solomon ECC and PRML recording provide exceptional data integrity protection.

Low Power Operation

Efficient power consumption at 6.4W during seek operations and 3.7W idle. Perfect for embedded systems and applications where power efficiency is critical while maintaining legacy hardware compatibility.

New Old Stock with 90-Day Warranty

Available as brand new, factory sealed old stock units from Anand International with a 90-day warranty. Ideal for legacy system maintenance, vintage computing restoration, and hard-to-find replacement needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for IDE, including information on usage, configuration, and compatibility.

1. What is an IDE hard drive?

An IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) hard drive is a legacy type of storage device that connects to a computer using a 40-pin ribbon cable and Molex power connector. It was widely used before SATA drives became standard.
2. Can IDE hard drives be used in modern computers?

Most modern PCs do not have IDE ports. However, you can still use an IDE hard drive with a compatible IDE controller card or an IDE-to-SATA/USB adapter.
3. What devices are IDE hard drives compatible with?

IDE hard drives are commonly used in older desktops, servers, DVR systems, legacy industrial equipment, and other electronics that require ATA/100 or ATA/133 interfaces.
4. Are IDE and PATA the same thing?

Yes. IDE is also known as PATA (Parallel ATA). Both terms refer to the same interface standard, which uses wide ribbon cables to connect drives.
5. How do I know if my system supports an IDE hard drive?

Check if your motherboard has a 40-pin IDE connector. If not, you can use an adapter or external enclosure that converts IDE to SATA or USB.
6. What is the maximum capacity of an IDE hard drive?

Most IDE hard drives range from a few hundred megabytes to 500GB, though practical support depends on your system’s BIOS limitations.
7. Can IDE hard drives be used for external storage?

Yes. By using an IDE-to-USB adapter or external IDE enclosure, you can repurpose an IDE hard drive as an external storage device.