Toshiba hard disks break areal density record

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While solid state drives are making the headlines, conventional disks aren’t going anywhere in a hurry as Toshiba launches a range of new notebook drives.

Toshiba's storage division has announced six new 2.5in hard disk drives for use in notebooks.

The highest capacity of these is the 400GB MK4058GSX. While this is not as capacious as the 500GB drives announced earlier in the year by Hitachi, Samsung and Fujitsu, Toshiba says this is the higher areal density ever in a disk drive at 477Mbit per milimetre squared, with the 400GB spread over only two platters.

The drive spins at 5,400rpm and Toshiba says the drive features a silent seek function', which uses acoustic dampening techniques to reduce noise during disc activity. It also says the drive offers a very low energy consumption of 0.0015W/GB. Toshiba claims that the drive lowers energy consumption over its larger 3.5in brethren by as much as 70 per cent.

For those looking for the fastest performance, the 320GB MK3254GSY may be more appealing as while its 80GB shy of the larger drive, its rotational speed is 7,200rpm, equivalent to most desktop drives, which makes for quicker data access.

Along with this drive, Toshiba also announced the 250GB MK2554GSY, the 160GB MK1654GSY, the 120GB MK1254GSY and the 80GB MK8042GSY.

Martin Larsson, vice president and general manager of Toshiba Europe Storage Device Division, said: "Consumers are downloading vast amounts of digital content in and outside the office. The demand for electronic devices capable of not just accommodating these needs but enhancing the user experience has greatly increased."

He added: "Toshiba is developing high performance components with the capacity to deliver on the raised expectations of today's consumers and our 2.5-inch HDDs are proof of this."

Benny Har-Even
Benny Har-Even

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.