1998 research cohort / Storage
Quantum · family
L2 · reviewed discrepancyQuantum Fireball EL hard disk family is recorded in the 1998 Storage research cohort under Quantum. The current display name and classification are normalization proposals.
Quantum addresses higher-capacity desktop storage and OEM segment needs
Intended users: desktop OEMs and PC users
Engineering response: Fireball EL family with stated capacities/form factor/interface options
Quantum Corporation Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 28 1998 · product discussion
Quantum filing supplies family capacity/interface/form-factor context and mass-production timing.
Mass production does not prove first shipment; detailed purpose language is limited.
Comparable benchmark evidence has not been established for this record. Missing results do not imply poor performance.
The year above is a research-cohort label. Announcement, production, shipment and retail availability are distinct events.
Family identity and May mass-production event are supported, but the qualifying commercial shipment event remains unresolved.
Quantum Corporation / SEC · Form 10-Q product discussion: Fireball EL began mass production in May 1998
Quantum's SEC filing identifies the Fireball EL family and states May 1998 mass production; it supplies family-level form-factor/interface/capacity context.
Keep the Fireball EL as a valid record; commercial existence and May 1998 mass production are supported, while exact commercial release remains unknown.
What would resolve it: Dated Quantum, OEM, distributor, reseller, or contemporary publication evidence establishing first commercial shipment or availability and its market scope.
Exact introduction/first shipment date, regional/OEM/distribution availability, per-capacity SKU identity.
Fireball EL and Fireball EX are different named HDD families but the frozen records are family-level rather than per-capacity SKU records; their capacities must not be retroactively treated as separate candidates without a new scoped scout run.
Audit source · Form 10-Q product discussion
Quantum reports the Fireball EL and EX as named new products and gives family-level production timing rather than a complete per-SKU launch register.
Follow-up: Keep each as a family-level frozen record; require separate evidence and a declared granularity decision before any SKU expansion.
May 1998 mass production and planned May availability do not independently establish a first commercial shipment or an exact introduction date for Fireball EL.
Audit source · dated April 28 1998 report
The contemporary report describes planned May availability; the associated Quantum filing establishes May mass production but not a dated commercial shipment.
Follow-up: Keep the record at human review and seek a dated OEM or distribution shipment source before treating mass production as the qualifying commercial event.
These notes preserve the state at intake. Later verification is shown under Release evidence above; an original note saying verification had not occurred is not the current assessment.
Quantum Corporation / SEC ·
Imported source reference; independent verification has not occurred.
Impress PC Watch ·
Imported source reference; independent verification has not occurred.
Typed event: Quantum's 1998 Q2 filing states mass production began in May 1998. The family is 3.5-inch, Ultra ATA, 5,400 RPM with Shock Protection System and multiple capacities. Exact announcement day, first commercial shipment, regional availability, and per-capacity ordering identities remain unknown.