Toshiba's 10GB And 20GB 1.8" Hard Drives

Little computing devices need little storage devices and Toshiba is now producing a family of 1.8" embedded hard disk drives available in 10GB and 20GB capacities to fit into little gadgets. The new mini drives measure 54 mm wide and 78.5 mm deep, and weigh 51 and 62 grams respectively. Toshiba's says its new 10GB (MK1003GAL) and 20GB (MK2003GAH) HDDs are smaller than a credit card and lighter than a traditional pager. The drives offer data transfer rates of 100MB/sec and the company figures they could be a good fit for handheld PCs, PDAs, wearable computers, laptops, digital video cameras, automotive applications, and audio/video players. The density per platter in these drives is 35.26 gigabits per square inch and they can withstand an operational shock of up to 200g and non-operating shock of up to 1000g. The 20GB HDD will begin shipping in early February, and the 10GB will ship in early March. Toshiba also offers a developer's kit for the embedded HDDs that gives specifications, connector samples, and information to help designers with development, integration and testing of their products using the new HDDs.