Toshiba presents 80GB 1.8-inch HDD with perpendicular recording

Toshiba today shipped its first batch of 1.8-inch HDDs with perpendicular magnetic recording. These small HDDs are primarily used in consumer electronic devices like the Apple iPod and Toshiba's new ones offer a capacity of 40GB to 80GB.

The MK4007GAL HDD 1.8-inch HDD packs 40GB on a single platter -- the largest single-platter capacity yet achieved in the 1.8-inch form factor. This breakthrough technology sets new benchmarks for data density with the highest areal density currently on the market at 206 megabits per square millimeter (133 gigabits per square inch). The 1.8-inch PMR HDD is now shipping in Toshiba's new Gigabeat F41, enabling the MP3 player to store up to 10,000 songs.

Toshiba is currently shipping the 40GB MK4007GAL to OEM and channel partners. The company plans to apply PMR technology to its 0.85-inch HDD in 2006, increasing capacity to 6GB-8GB per platter and supporting Toshiba's efforts to pioneer the market for ultra-small form factor drives.

Model name	MK8007GAH	MK4007GAL
Capacity	80GB	40GB
Number of platters	2	1
Number of heads	4	2
Average seek time	15ms
Data transfer rate	Ultra DMA/100
Rotational speed	4,200RPM
Interface	ATA-6
External Dimensions	54 x 78.5 x 8mm	54 x 78.5 x 5mm
Weight	62g	51g
Shock resistance	Operating: 4,900m/s2 (500G: 2msec) Non-Operating: 14,700m/s2 (1,500G: 1msec)