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Toshiba Unveils Whisper-Quiet 500GB MK5055GSX Notebook Hard Drive

by , 2:45 PM EST, November 19th, 2008

Electronics manufacturer Toshiba announced Tuesday the MK5055GSX hard drive, a 500 gigabyte 2.5" SATA notebook drive boasting "whisper-quiet operation."

The drive offers an 8MB buffer, operates at 5,400 RPMs, and uses 1.4 watts of power consumption on read/write functions. It also has what Toshiba called an improved servo arm mechanism that helps reduce operational noise while increasing the durability of the hardware.

Other features include a free-fall sensor to help guard against damage from falls and a green-friendly industrial design process designed to help reduce CO2 emissions as well as complying with other environmental standards.

Toshiba has yet to announce a final price but has indicated that the drive will begin shipping in January and will be exhibited at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2009.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: whisper quiet , but slow

Why not release a 7200rpm drive at 500Gb.
Not exactly ground breaking is it?

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Quiet, big, and fits

Looks like this is the first 500 GB drive that fits into a MacBook or MacBook Pro. 50 percent increase in storage capacity. And what does the first poster do? Moan, moan, and moan.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: not exactly

Quote
Guest wrote:
Looks like this is the first 500 GB drive that fits into a MacBook or MacBook Pro. 50 percent increase in storage capacity. And what does the first poster do? Moan, moan, and moan.


500gb samsung HM500LI Spinpoint M6 already fits them

Close Name:WetcoastBob Posts: 83 Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Subject: Power Consumption

The slower drive will probably use less power. I found this the case when i put a 4200 rpm 200 gig drive in my MBP. The response time is slightly longer but I get an additional 15 min from the battery.

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