Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), continues to deliver innovative storage solutions with today's announcement of the industry's highest-capacity series of SATA 1.8-inch HDDs. The new 5,400 RPM HDDs come in single-platter 80GB and dual-platter 160GB models, delivering market-leading capacity, high-performance and durability in compact packages for space-efficient mobile PC systems.

Toshiba MK1617GSG 

The storage capacities offered by the 160GB MK1617GSG and 80GB MK8017GSG mirror those of larger form factor HDDs, while reducing the storage footprint by nearly 40 percent compared with the 2.5-inch form factor. Combined with the new micro-SATA connector, Serial-ATA 1.5Gb/s interface and 5,400 RPM spin speed, the MKxx17GSG series offers small and light-weight solutions at increased data transfer rates for enhanced performance in sub-notebook PCs.

To develop these products, Toshiba applied an extensible platform approach that features a shared architecture base with the company's landmark 2.5-inch HDD product line, ensuring cross-platform compatibility. This approach allows the new 1.8-inch HDDs to leverage proven technologies, as well as certified compliance to the Serial-ATA 2.6 specification.

Tremendous growth in the sub-notebook, thin-and-light mobile PC category has brought 1.8-inch HDDs to the forefront of small form factor computing, accompanied by consumer expectations for a computing experience equal to larger-sized mobile PCs and storage capacities that rival desktop PC systems.

According to IDC, the thin-and-light mobile PC category is forecasted to experience a 54 percent CAGR worldwide from 2006 to 2011, driven by interest from the consumer market segment and fueled by advancements in mobile processors and wireless connectivity. As a result, IDC projects 1.8-inch HDD shipments will grow to more than 26 million units by 2012, with a 58 percent CAGR attributed to portable PC integration.

"Toshiba's eight years in perfecting 1.8-inch HDD technology puts us in a unique position to address explosive growth in the mobility segment with proven products that deliver the performance and capacity that system manufacturers need," said Maciek Brzeski, vice president of marketing at Toshiba Storage Device Division. "At these capacities, our 1.8-inch HDDs are enabling the miniaturization of mobile PCs by providing better power consumption efficiency and improved ruggedness over larger form factors. We continue to see healthy opportunity for 1.8-inch HDD growth and adoption in the mobile PC arena, particularly in thin-and-light, sub-notebook, tablet PC and extreme mobility devices."

With more than 60 million 1.8-inch HDDs shipped worldwide since 2000, Toshiba has consistently held the number one position in the 1.8-inch HDD segment since entering the market in 2000. The company is now shipping its 17th generation of 1.8-inch HDDs and has brought to market more than 25 different models.

Toshiba's new 80GB and 160GB HDDs will ship to PC manufacturers and distribution partners in August 2008.

Product Specifications

• Model no. MK1617GSG (160GB, 2 disks /4 heads), no. MK8017GSG (80GB, 1/2)
• Buffer size 8MB
• Average seek time 15 msec
• Interface SATA 1.5Gb/s, Serial ATA Revision 2.6 (ATA-8)
• Rotational speed 5,400 rpm
• External dimensions 54.0 mm (W) x 78.5 mm (L) x 8.0 mm (H)
• Weight 62g (max.)  (MK1617GSG) 60g (max.) (MK8017GSG)
• Energy consumption efficiency 0.0028 W/GB 0.0056 W/GB
• Shock Operating: 4,900 m/s2, 500G (2.0ms)
• Non-Operating: 14,700 m/s2, 1,500G (1.0ms)
• Operating: 4,900 m/s2, 500G (2.0ms)
• Acoustics Idle: 1.8 Bels
• Operating: 2.3 Bels
• Idle: 1.6 Bels
• Operating: 2.2 Bels