WD ups its density
24 Jan 2008 | 10:03 GMT
250 begat 320, TB to follow
WESTERN DIGITAL MOVED the 250Gb/square inch technology from it's laptop drives to it's desktop parts today. The move brings the firm from 250 to 320GB per platter on its mainstream parts.
On the surface, this may not sound like much, after all the Greenline drives have a 1TB capacity now, presumably that is about 320GB per platter * 3 platters, so why the fuss?
The new density point is for the higher speed Caviar line, bringing WD up to the same capacities as Seagate (Note: As far as we have been able to determine, Hitachi uses four platters meaning 250GB/platter like older WD drives.).
The first one of these drives you saw was the 2.5-inch Scorpio last year, but due to the reduction in diameter, it only held 160GB per platter or 320GB total. The new 3.5-inch Caviars have one platter and hold 320GB. Expect higher size models to follow in really short order, and the TB drives to come out in that set of releases.
Overall, it is a good thing, three platter 1TB drive competition can only mean lower prices for everyone. Then again, with prices already under $300 for a TB, things are already pretty inexpensive? µ
© 2007 Incisive Media Investments Ltd. 2007