Toshiba's 320GB 2.5-inch hard drive: a world's best for laptops
By Thomas Ricker 
posted Aug 21st 2007 4:01AM
posted Aug 21st 2007 4:01AM
Step aside Fujitsu, there's a new 2.5-inch hard disk champ on the block by way of Toshiba. A world's first 320GB 2.5-inch drive, in fact. The MK3252GSX drive spins a pair of 160GB platters at 5,400rpm with an 8MB buffer and 12ms average seek time over a 3Gbps SATA interface. So yeah, it's just 20GB more data that the Fujitsu 300GB disk but that HDD spins at just 4,200rpm. Better yet, The Tosh drive stands just 9.5-mm tall -- a full 3-mm less than Fujitsu's 300 gigger; that's about as thin as it gets in these 2.5-inch laptop drives. Look for the 320GB disk as a factory shipped option around November when Toshiba starts turning 'em out for mass production.
Sounds great, I'm getting a little tired of my 80gb, will definitely look at investing in one of these.
What's the point of it being slimmer as long as it fits the standard 2.5" drive specs?
If you are building the notebook from a barebone system (i.e. Compal, Quanta, ...), you are right. However, major notebook manufacturers either use those companies as ODM's (i.e. Original Design Manufacturer), meaning they supply their custom designs and specs to them, or build their systems in house.
That being said; 3 mm's is a major advantage for slim notebook designs or ultra-portables.
9.5mm height is a standard spec. The taller 300GB drive won't fit in many notebooks.
In fact, very few current notebooks have room for a 12.5mm drive. They mostly require 9.5mm.
To drive the point home even more: 9.5mm is the de-factor standard for 2.5" laptop drives.
HD manufacturers make 12mm drives for two reasons: 1) To fit in the few and far-between monster laptops that can hold them and 2) bragging rights.
I so want one of these.
But will it fit in my PS3? that's the important question!
Um, yeah, it will.
This is perfect for my small MacBook which needs these 9.5mm SATA drives. Anybody know where there is stock of this?
The article says Novmber for mass production, so I'm guessing nobody yet!
Once November hits, check out NewEgg for 'em. They usually carry a nice selection of notebook drives.
I'm in the same boat as you. My 160GB MBP is looking quite cramped nowadays.
You can buy 250GB, 5400 rpm 9.5mm drives today for under $200. If the extra 70GB, 4-5 month wait, and early price premiums are worth it to you, then enjoy your wait.
Some laptops such as the old 12" powerbook were designed to run for a 9mm drive. Any thicker and the airflow will will be blocked and the thing will really start to cook.
i remember seeing a 2TB HDD in Satellite U300 laptop a few posts back ;) :P
Well, you must have been on LSD.
actually in the previous article they made a mistake and put 2000GB instead of 200 GB... thats wat i meant, but my bad it has been corrected by the time i made this post... :P
I wish the hard disk news would always include maximum sustained read and write speeds in MB per second instead of just RPM....
Shouldn't that be 5400rpm?
The drive is 4200rpms. Though it would be nice to have a 7200rpm one...
The source says those (Toshiba) are 5400 rpm.
They have 200/160/120/80 GB 7200 rpm as well.
would this fit in a PS3?
Yes, it will fit in a PS3.
Over the past 10 months or so loads these great 200GB+, 2.5" HDDs have been posted up here but i'm yet to find any in a reputable online shop..
Is newegg a reputable shop? They carry Hitachi, Samsung and WD 250GB disks (and some 200GB as well).
Sorry, i meant in the UK. Though funnily enough i've just done another search and have found a couple of shops i've used before who sell 250GB drives for a reasonable price. Seems they're in stock in a few places since i last looked!
by the time i need to upgarde my ps3, this will be affordable. it can't wait.
sweet. now i get to toss out that 160gig i have hooked up to my xbox, and Double my storage!
You're an idiot.
Xbox 1 = Normal Standard PATA Drives.
Xbox 360 = What are you even going to put on it?
Given that I have 5 failed Toshiba 2.5" drives on my desk, all the Tosh laptops I've ever repaired died of hard drive failure, and 320GB = "the bigger they are, the harder they fall", there'll be an ice hotel in the core of Krakatoa before I'll get one of these.
This is so true. I've replaced far too many failed Toshiba laptop drives. I suspect they're not built to withstand much heat.
2 toshiba 200GB laptop drives dead here! One within 2 months and the other within a week. If it says Toshiba on the drive stay away!
Will this fit into my PS3??
That's been asked and answered twice on this page.
I have a 2001 time traveller with an 80gb hd 2.5 size and was wondering if i would be able to input the 320gb?
WD shipping 320 gb;SATA 2;2.5";5400;8 MB buffer $199.00 on 10/31/2007
Toshiba will ship 320 gb;SATA 2;2.5;7200;16 MB buffer in November 2007; $???
WD shipping 320 gb;SATA 2;2.5";5400;8 MB buffer $199.00 on 10/31/2007
Toshiba will ship 320 gb;SATA 2;2.5;7200;16 MB buffer in November 2007; $???