The main bottleneck in any NAS is the RAID engine. Since many NAS units don't include a dedicated controller, oftentimes the speed of the drive just doesn't matter. If you're using a blazing-fast hardware RAID card in your own custom built setup, then drive speed might make a difference. But for most consumer units, the controller is the bottleneck.

With that in mind, you can go with slower 5400 RPM drives that reduce power consumption, generate less heat, and will likely cost less up front too. Even if you have a dedicated RAID card that could let a 7200 RPM drive do it's thing at full speed, I'd consider the benefits of low-power drives to outweigh the marginal speed increase you might see.

This chart shows the difference between Samsung 7200 and 5400 RPM drives in various RAID configurations:

Not much, right? So think twice before you drop more than necessary on 7200 RPM drives for your backup unit. Check out the link for the full test rundown. [Tom's Hardware]

The Padlock isn't the first hard disk to have its own keypad (Lenovo's ThinkPad USB Secure Hard Drive gets that honor), but the Padlock's 256-bit AES encryption is unique.

Prices for drives with 128-bit encryption are: $99 (250GB); $109 (320GB); and $139 (500GB). 256-bit encryption is a $20 extra in each case.

• Hardware Encrypted Drive - Real-time 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption seamlessly encrypts all data on the drive, protecting the drive even if it is removed from its casing

• Extensive Shock Mounting - Protects your data with a 16-point omni-directional shock mounting system

• Worry free 3 year warranty

• Compatible with any OS - Windows, Mac & Linux

[Apricorn via Electronista]

The drive didn't mount. It spinned up, but nothing happened. The BIOS didn't show anything and the noise, that horrible rattling noise of a thousand-cockroach horde running viciously through a tin tube, kept roaring. "Something is very wrong here," he thought after trying every trick in the book. It was then when he decided to open the drive on the bench at his Spring/Nextel's tech support office. Voiding the warranty of the new Fujitsu MHV2040AH drive, he was shocked when he found this mess:

"Shattered? How the heck can a hard drive plate be shattered in this way? This is not possible."

The drive was new and there were no visible marks outside. And as you can see in the images, the drive plate shattered on its own. Somehow. There are no signs of hammering or violence anywhere, except for the metal shards themselves. Chris swears that this is what happened and has no explanation about it, except that the 10,000rpm engine of the drive may have gone crazy at one point. I find that unlikely but who knows. Any expert in hard drives out there can tell us how this may happened?

While you think, here's some good music that matches the theme of this post (at least in its title). [Thanks Chris]

The Hard Disk MAX includes two 1TB disk drives that can be set in either a RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration. A front USB 2.0 port can link it to another external drive for data backups, and a blue LED stripe will change to red if potential problems come along.

Hard Disk MAX ships with LaCie setup software, Genie Backup Assistant for PC and Intego Backup Assistant for Mac. With the $270 price tag, you'll also get a year of online backup service.

LaCie Hard Disk MAX: Expanding More Than Just Capacity

* Simple and efficient dual-disk USB storage
* RAID for high-performance and maximum reliability
* Hub port feature
* Complete software bundle for easy formatting and backup

Today LaCie announced its Hard Disk MAX high capacity storage system for users who want advanced RAID features with consumer-level ease of use and style. Designed exclusively for LaCie by award-winning industrial designer Neil Poulton, the Hard Disk MAX delivers 2 TB (terabytes) of ultra-reliable storage capacity in a stunning package that will satisfy high-performance requirements for the discriminating user.

The Hard Disk Max includes two large-capacity disk drives that can be set in either a RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration with the simple flick of a switch on the back panel. RAID 0 stripes data across both disks for the fastest data retrieval response time, while RAID 1 mirrors data exactly on both disks for maximum data reliability.

"Our Hard Disk Max is the ideal mass-storage product for users looking for high performance and data protection," said Lise Manteau, LaCie's Consumer Hard Disk Drive Product Manager. "Its elegant design and ease of use, combined with its competitive price, will appeal to users who have ever-growing data storage requirements."

Users can effortlessly configure the pair of high-speed 1 TB drives in the RAID setting of their choice. Included with the Hard Disk Max is the LaCie Setup Assistant for quick, easy and customizable formatting of the disk drives. The system also ships with Genie Backup Assistant for PC and Intego Backup Assistant for Mac.

The front USB 2.0 expansion port on the sleek, all-black polished-mirror enclosure can be used to link to another external drive for data backups. The multi-purposed blue LED stripe provides ambient light and changes to red to warn of potential problems.

The Hard Disk Max comes with the exclusive LaCie One Year Unlimited Online Backup service, which provides unlimited online backup for one full year after installation is a complete.

Availability
The LaCie Hard Disk MAX designed by Neil Poulton is available worldwide through the LaCie Online Store or LaCie Resellers at the suggested retail price starting at $269.99 USD. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.

About Neil Poulton
Neil Poulton was born in Thurso, Scotland. A graduate in Industrial Design from Edinburgh University and Milan's Domus Academy, Poulton first came into public view in 1989 as the creator of "the ageing pens," pens made from a "living," wearing plastic that changes color and form with use. Today, Neil Poulton designs and develops best-selling, award-winning products for a variety of international clients including LaCie & Artemide. Since 1991, Poulton has lived and worked in Paris, France. www.neilpoulton.com

About LaCie
Located in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for PC, Apple and Linux users. LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday users easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is listed on Euronext under FR0000054314 (LAC). For more information, visit www.lacie.com.

Jun 11, 2008 01:00

Toshiba's New 1.8-Inch HDD Achieves 160GB, the Industry's Largest(1) Storage Capacity for Drive with a Serial ATA Interface

TOKYO —(Business Wire)— Jun. 11, 2008 Toshiba Corporation today announced a new line-up of 1.8-inch hard disk drives (HDD) adopting a serial ATA interface, including the industry's first(1) drive of this type with a capacity of 160 gigabytes. The new 160GB drive, MK1617GSG, and an 80GB drive, MK8017GSG, will enter mass production in August.
Toshiba's new 1.8-inch HDDs boost interface speed to 1.5Gbps and offer a rotation speed of 5,400 rpm, faster than the current generation of Toshiba 1.8-inch HDD (MK1214GAH, parallel ATA, 120GB). By realizing the industry's first 160GB 1.8-inch drive with a serial ATA interface, Toshiba assures that mobile PCs will be able to meet the most demanding user needs.

The new MK1617GSG drive is more environmentally efficient than Toshiba's current MK1216GSG (120GB) model, and raises energy consumption efficiency, as defined under the Japanese legal standard, to 0.00281W/GB, a 25% improvement. The drive improves the maximum internal data transfer rate by approximately 17%, and supports faster data access in reading and writing that enhances overall performance.

Alongside Toshiba's 1.8-inch HDD of 80GB and 120GB serial ATA interface drives already in the market, the new drives will provide product manufacturers with a broad line-up that supports diverse applications. The new drives will also contribute to achievement of environmentally conscious products in full compliance with the EU's RoHS directive(2). -0-

Outline of New Models
———————————————————————————————————
Model name Formatted Capacity Dimensions Weight
———————————————————————————————————
MK1617GSG 160GB 54.0 x 78.5 x 8.0mm 62g
———————————————————————————————————
MK8017GSG 80GB 54.0 x 78.5 x 8.0mm 60g
———————————————————————————————————
Background

Hard disk drives for mobile PCs must be small, light and able to withstand vibration and shock. While Toshiba's 1.8-inch HDD are more robust than 2.5-inch HDD, they have not matched the larger drives in data transfer rates. However, the company's new 1.8-inch HDD combine a serial ATA interface with a faster rotational speed to realize a high speed transfer rate. Building on the achievements of providing a 1.8- inch HDD that employs industry's largest capacity with a serial ATA interface, and expanding its product line-up, Toshiba will continue efforts to provide innovative products that meet market needs for HDD integrated mobile PCs.

Key Features of New Products

1. Industry's largest storage capacity:160GB (MK1617GSG)

The new MK 1617GSG brings the industry's largest capacity of 160GB to a 1.8-inch HDD with a serial ATA interface.

2. Improved energy consumption efficiency (MK1617GSG)

Compared to the MK1216GSG (Serial ATA, 120GB, 1.8-inch HDD), the new MK1617GSG raises energy consumption efficiency, as defined under the Japanese legal standard, to 0.00281W/GB, a 25% improvement.

3. Lighter weight (MK8017GSG)

The new 80GB drive weighs only 60g, 3% lighter than the MK8016GSG (serial ATA, 80GB, 1.8-inch HDD).

4. Higher rotational speed (MK1617GSG and MK8017GSG)

The serial ATA interface supports an interface speed of 1.5Gbps, surpassing the performance of drives with a parallel ATA interface. The drives also operate at a maximum rotation speed of 5,400 rpm, 29% faster than Toshiba's current MK1214GAH (parallel ATA, 120GB, 1.8-inch HDD), supporting much faster data transfers. The disk's higher areal density improves the maximum internal data transfer rate by approximately 17%, and supports faster data access in reading and writing that enhances overall performance.

5. High vibration and shock resistance (MK1617GSG and MK8017GSG)

Compared to current 2.5-inch HDD (MK1652GSX), the new drives offer the higher levels of vibration and shock resistance needed in mobile PCs.

6. Environmentally conscious products offering efficient power consumption (MK1617GSG and MK8017GSG)

Alongside capacity improvement, Toshiba has also achieved a power consumption efficiency of 0.00281W/GB for the MK1617GSG, and 0.00563W/GB for MK8017GSG, as defined in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Energy Conservation Law, assuring a more environmentally friendly design. The new drives also comply with the EU's RoHS directive.

(1) The industry's largest commercially available capacity in a serial ATA interface 1.8-inch hard disk drive, as of June 11, 2008 (source: Toshiba)

(2) The RoHS Directive, which came into effect in July 2006, is a European Union directive that eliminates the use of six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

Toshiba Group, a Corporate Citizen of the Planet Earth, is committed to realizing a better environment. Guided by Toshiba Group Environmental Vision 2050 Toshiba Group is implementing measures to boost environmental efficiency by 10 times in FY2050, against the benchmark of FY2000. Toshiba Group is seeking to reduce CO2 emissions by a total equivalent to 57.6 million tons by FY2025, through the development and sales of high efficiency power supply equipment and systems, and the manufacture of environmentally conscious home appliances and office equipment. By working to mitigate global warming, make efficient use of resources and control management of chemicals, Toshiba creates value for people and promotes lifestyles in harmony with earth. -0-

Main Specifications
———————————————————————————————————
Model name MK1617GSG MK8017GSG
———————————————————————————————————
Formatted capacity 160GB 80GB
———————————————————————————————————
Number of platters 2 1
———————————————————————————————————
Number of heads 4 2
———————————————————————————————————
Average seek time 15msec
———————————————————————————————————
Rotational speed 5,400rpm
———————————————————————————————————
Interface Serial-ATA
———————————————————————————————————
Interface speed 1.5Gbps
———————————————————————————————————
Dimensions (W x D x H, mm) 54.0 (W) x 78.5 (D) x 8.0 (H)
———————————————————————————————————
Weight 62g (max) 60g (max)
———————————————————————————————————
Energy consumption efficiency 0.00281W/GB 0.00563W/GB
———————————————————————————————————
Operating: 4,900 m/s2 (500G, 2msec)
Shock resistance ————————————————————-
Non-operating: 14,700 m/s2 (1,500G, 1msec)
———————————————————————————————————

Note: Hard disk capacity is calculated on the basis of 1MB = 1-million bytes, and 1GB = 1-billion bytes.

[Toshiba]

After I upgraded my MacBook Pro to OS X Leopard, the first thing I did was grab a brand-new Maxtor USB drive and format it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) using Disk Utility, just like I had countless times before. As soon as I erased the disk, Time Machine popped up as promised, and asked if it could use the disk for backup. I said yes, and was on my merry way. Only I wasn't.

Time Machine ran for a bit, and then crapped out after about 10GB. I went into Disk Utility and saw that although the partition was formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled), the volume itself still said FAT32. I clicked Erase to reformat the drive, and got the format failure error you see above.

I tried this with FAT-formatted drives from Seagate, Iomega and HP as well. Each time I saw the same thing. I could reformat the partition to Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and Time Machine would recognize it. Get Info would say that it was formatted correctly. But Disk Utility showed that the volume was formatted for PC. Inevitably, if the Time Machine backup was greater than 10GB, there were problems. Worst of all, if I dared try to format the volume for Mac, I would get the dreaded error, and the disk would be temporarily unmountable.

Not only did I vary drives, but I tested the problem on various systems too. I tried it booting from the Leopard DVD, with the same results. Ditto when I tried it using my wife's Leopard-upgraded MacBook Pro. (Yes, his n' hers MBPs. You can insert your "awwww" here.) The end result was that I couldn't break the FAT grip on these damn drives.

I made some calls, I talked to some people, and eventually here was the solution: you wipe the hell out of the drive by creating new and different partitions. So, do not head to the Erase tab in Disk Utility to prep a PC-formatted drive for Time Machine. Instead:

• Go to the Partition tab. Create two partitions. Under Options, select GUID Partition Table (what you would use to make a Mac OS boot disk) and click OK then Apply.

• Once your partitions are in place, do it again, reverting back to just one partition, but still keeping the GUID Partition Table option. Click OK and Apply again, and at this point you should be cool.

• To be safe, you can then go to Erase and set formatting for Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then format it once and for all. But when you get there, you will probably see that your volume is already formatted in the right way.

UPDATE: Some people have gotten this to work without creating two partitions. If you like, try creating just a single partition, but using the GUID Partition Table option. This may be all it takes to break the chokehold.

Using this method, I have gotten all of the disks to work just fine with Time Machine, and I don't anticipate any problems in the future.

OK, I know, quite a bit of nerdiness, but I wanted to get out there and tell you about the problem I encountered, in case you are having the same troubles, or plan on getting there sooner or later. Also, this solution is actually a workaround of sorts. My hope is that Apple can update Disk Utility with a stronger form of disk erasing that doesn't require so many manual steps, but if I am missing something obvious, I'd love to hear it. Please share any troubles you've had, or any better solutions you've cooked up.

Special thanks to Dorian and Ken!

The only problem with this is, we're not sure GameStop is in the business of misspelling words on its promotional posters. Really, WTF is a 120 GB "hardrive?" Still, looks like a great design for an external hard disk, and if that's not really the one that will be offered alongside the Elite 360, perhaps it should be. – Charlie White

Xbox 360 120GB HDD advertising appears [Xbox 360 Fanboy]

The only problem after you take out the screw and slide out the plastic coverings is finding a suitable 1.8-inch HD. We see some 80GB HDs floating around for about two hundred bones. – Jason Chen

Exposing the HDR-SR1 Hard Drive [Sony HDR SR1 - Thanks jason!]

Next, we want to see this technology incorporated into a 1.8-inch form factor, for a drive whose capacity will dwarf the recently-announced 1.8-inch Toshiba 100GB drive that will fit perfectly into an iPod. Bring it on. – Charlie White

Fujitsu Announces 300GB Laptop Hard Drive [CrunchGear]

A serious advantage these ToughTech enclosures have had all along is their FlexMount anti-shock protection, keeping that valuable data and all your most important porn safe even if you jostle it around. The enclosure by itself, to which you add drives, is $119.95, or you can get it with SATA drives included, were the 250GB unit is $252.95, the 500GB is $455.95, and the 750GB is $784.95. Just add a SATA card to your Mac or PC and you're off and running like the wind. – Charlie White

Product Page [WiebeTech]

What's the catch? You have to come up with $110, and then you'll get $70 back (form is linked below) as a rebate, and the offer ends tomorrow. Shipping is free, but if there's an Office Depot in your state, they'll clip you for the sales tax. Still, 200GB hard drive for $40-something? We'll take it. – Charlie White

Maxtor 200GB Internal Hard Drive [Office Depot, via Bargain Jack] Thanks, Jack!

Rebate form

Created by the Italian design house Pininfaria Extra, the drives come in 40 to 100GB sizes at prices from $109 to $179.99. Available colors are red, gray, silver, white and black. Nice if you want something flashy to go with your glossy VoodooPC Envy:734 gaming laptop. – Jason Chen

Press Release [SimpleTech via MobileWhack]

Financial and medial corporations often have sensitive data they need to safeguard, say, when they sell off their computers. With the Mag EraSURE, stick in magnetic media such as a hard disk, and in 60 seconds all data will be gone, like last night's leftovers for Ambien users.

For the paranoid home user, keeping one of these on your desk to erase your ill-gotten bittorrented goods when the MPAA come knocking may be another useful application. EraSURE, all we wanted was A Little Respect.

Available in May. – Jason Chen

Mag EraSURE [Fujitsu via DVHardware]

Seagate Barracuda 300GB [digg]

Its USB 2.0 jack is nothing new, rotating into the drive housing just like many of its competitors do, a good thing because that gives it room to squeeze into overpopulated USB port areas on even the busiest computers. Available now, it's retailing for $130.

WD Unveils 6GB pocket drive [Reg Hardware]

What's the catch? The first wave of products will use a red laser, not the blue or green laser that will give us the most incredible densities. First out of the gate will be 300GB disks with a disappointingly slow 20MB/second transfer rate. And of course, this technology will be expensive at first. Even so, we can't wait to see those red green and blue laser multi-terabyte holographic disks, small and lightning-fast.

First Holographic Drives and Media to Ship in 2006 [DailyTech]

Remember LaCie's new portable hard drives that we told you about in January? The Skwarim drives designed by Karim Rashid are already out, in pink and blue.

If you wanted one of the Neil Poulton-designed LaCie Rugged All-Terrain drives (seen above), they're now available to pre-order for April. $169.99 to $359.99, depending on which configuration you choose.

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive 120GB [LaCie, via productdose.com]

This technology will be especially well-suited for laptops, where Samsung, the world's largest manufacturer of NAND flash memory, has been trying to push its products. Samsung didn't reveal pricing for the 32GB unit, but it will probably show up first in notebooks manufactured in Taiwan.

Samsung unveils 32GB Flash-based 'HDD killer' [Reg Hardware]