The StorageTek 9840 series of drives used a relatively unusual dual tape hub mechanism within the 3480 format shell, similar to the familiar audio tape format. This reduced the length of tape that could be stored inside the shell, and hence reduced the data capacity of the cartridge. However, it made the loading or threading of the tape into the drive very fast, which was useful in business applications - and the drive price was very high in comparison to the contemporary LTO drive, despite having one fifth of its capacity.