3m To Flaunt Its Floppies

3M will begin selling computer diskettes next month that will hold 120 megabytes of information, about 80 times as much as current floppy diskettes.

The LS-120 diskette has the same shape and size as the standard 1.44-megabyte 3.5-inch diskette but combines magnetic and optical technology to provide greater capacity and performance.

Compaq Computer Corp. will put drives in its new business-targeted desktop PCs that will be able to read and store data on the new diskettes.

3M reported Monday that the 3.5-inch floppy disks will retail for about $20 each. They will require drive units that will sell for about $200.

3M developed the LS-120 technology in conjunction with Compaq, O.R. Technology and Matsushita-Kotobuki Electronics Industries.