Register Hardware

Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/21/toshiba_320gb_hdd/

Toshiba crams 320GB onto 2.5in HDD

By James Sherwood
Published Tuesday 21st August 2007 15:46 GMT

Toshiba has created the world’s largest capacity 2.5in hard disk drive, packing a stonking 320GB into the device. The storage monster is just one of nine-strong range of 2.5in drives destined for a selection of devices, including high-end notebook PCs.

The manufacturer said that the MK3252GSX 320GB boasts an improved read-write head and an enhanced magnetic layer that helps boost areal density. It uses two 160GB platters and has a rotational speed of 5,400rpm, a significant improvement on its 200GB perpendicular recording MK2035GSS 2.5in notebook hard drive (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/06/05/toshiba_200gb_notebook_drive/), which also has a twin-platter and four-head design.

The MK3252GSX drive can also withstand a 350g operating shock and 900g non-operating shock, which is also a slight improvement over the MK2035GSS’s 325g operating and 850 non-operating shock resistance levels. It also features 8MB of buffer memory, average seek time of 12ms and an ATA8 interface operating at 3Gbps.

Toshiba’s eight other new 2.5in drives range in capacity between 250GB and 80GB, with one 250GB drive offering 5,400rpm, 8MB of buffer memory, two heads and an ATA8 interface, with 12ms average seek time. In addition, a 200GB drive offers the use of four heads, a 7,200rpm and 16MB buffer memory.

There are also two ranges of 160GB, 120GB and 80GB drives. One range incorporates near-identical capabilities to the 250GB drive, but uses single platters. The second range mirrors the 200GB drive’s capabilities, but offers a range of heads and platters.

All nine drives feature a Free Fall Sensor function, which Toshiba claims detects a drive falling and then parks its head before it crashes.

The range is expected to be incorporated into devices during the fourth quarter of this year.