Hitachi Breakthrough Could Mean 4TB Disks By 2011
Researchers at Hitachi have successfully reduced existing recording heads by more than a factor of two to achieve new heads in the 30-50 nanometer (nm) range, which is up to 2,000 times smaller than the width of an average human hair (approx. 70-100 microns). Called current perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magneto-resistive*1 (CPP-GMR) heads, Hitachi's new technology is expected to be implemented in shipping products in 2009 and reach its full potential in 2011.
In essence, 4 Terabyte (TB) desktop (3.5") drives and 1 TB laptop (2.5") drives can be expected.
While not specifically mentioned in the release, Hitachi also produces 1.8" drives currently found in Apple's iPod Classic, and we expect similar gains to be expected in those form factors as well. Recent advancements were also announced by Toshiba that can be expected by 2009.
Raw Data: Press Release
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Hitachi Global Storage Technologies plans to announce Monday it has developed technology that will quadruple the storage capacity of desktop hard drives within the next two years.
The new reading-head technology will allow the company to cram more data on hard drives. Desktop computers could attain a capacity of 4TB of storage while laptop storage could reach 1TB, according to Hitachi.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138434-c,harddrives/article.html
Meanwhile CNet is reporting that date to be 2011...
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, the hard drive arm of the Japanese conglomerate, has made what it says is the world's smallest read head for hard drives.
And, if it comes out in 2011 or so as expected, the head will allow Hitachi to continue to increase the density of drives, said John Best, Hitachi's CTO. Current top-of-the-line desktop drives hold a terabyte.
With the new, elegantly named current perpendicular-to-the-plane giant magneto-resistive heads (CPP-GMR heads to you laypeople), drive makers will be able to come out with 4 terabyte drives in 2011 and/or 1 terabyte notebook drives.
http://www.news.com/To-advance-drives,-Hitachi-changes-the-head/2100-1041_3-6213386.html
No, that's still not good enough. I want 4TB FLASH laptop drives in 2009.
Now, aint I a whiney brat? :D
EDIT: I didn't notice that we could have 1TB laptop drives as well. That's really quite cool.
Meanwhile CNet is reporting that date to be 2011...
Engadget also report 2011, which I think is a lot more doable. There's no way they're going to cram 4 times the current limit in a drive in the next year or two*.*prepares to eat foot in year or two :o
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