 |
|
||||
|
Toshiba's 1.8-Inch Hard Disks Are First To Use Perpendicular RecordingDecember 15, 2004
Makes the Bits Stand Up So the First Head Shaves Closer?You know that hard disk manufacturers have worked miracles to increase the areal density or storage capacity of any given size platter, but Toshiba Corp. still manages to turn the industry on its ear -- or rather, to turn microscopic, magnetic bits on end, with the first commercial use of perpendicular recording. The company's new 1.8-inch disk platters store a record-setting 40GB each by aligning bits at right angles instead of parallel to the medium. This reinforces magnetic coupling between neighboring bits, reducing closely packed bits' tendency to repulse each other due to in-plane alignment and achieving stable higher recording densities. At 206 megabits per square millimeter (133 gigabits per square inch), the 40GB model MK4007GAL drive and two-platter, 80GB model MK8007GAH achieve the highest areal density yet reported. Each is a 4,200-rpm Ultra DMA/100 drive that measures 54 by 79 by 8mm; the 40GB and 80GB drives weigh just 51 and 62 grams, respectively. Toshiba combined a new magnetic disk, new perpendicular magnetic head, and disk and head integration technology to produce the drives, which will start mass production in the second and third quarters of 2005, respectively. The company also plans to apply perpendicular recording to its ultra-small 0.85-inch drive, pushing push capacity to 6GB to 8GB per platter. Story courtesy of HardwareCentral.
|
|
|
|
Email
Print
Digg This
Add to del.icio.us
