Toshiba recently introduced its MKxx55GSX series of 2.5-inch hard disk drives. Available in capacities ranging from 120GB to 500GB, these new drives features a 5,400 RPM rotation speed and SATA 3.0 Gb/s interface as well as optimizations and design changes to minimize noise and boost durability.
Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), today announced a half-terabyte 5,400 RPM, Serial-ATA (SATA) 3.0 Gb/s 2.5-inch HDD with a number of enhanced features that improve the user experience in mobile applications, as well as other digital devices.
Available in capacities from 500GB(1) to 120GB, the super-quiet and durable MKxx55GSX series is targeted for integration into notebook PCs, sub- notebooks, small form factor and energy star PCs, game consoles, printers and external storage devices.
This new family raises the bar in acoustic performance for mainstream high-capacity HDDs. Advanced servo techniques combined with mechanical design changes minimize noise emanating from the MKxx55GSX drives, making them nearly inaudible during operation, with some models performing close to the threshold of human hearing.
In addition, optimizations in mechanics and servo design have boosted the durability of the series with operating shock tolerance matching the highest levels available on the market today. To further protect user data against potentially hazardous external events, free-fall sensor (FFS) options are available on the new MKxx55GSX series. Toshiba's state-of-the-art FFS technology enables the HDD to respond to drop events, providing additional protection to mobile devices if they are disturbed during operation.
"With a number of value-added technology features, this new 2.5-inch HDD series addresses the need for capacity and durability in mobile applications, while enhancing the overall user experience by minimizing noise from the storage component," said
Dedication to Environmentally Conscious HDDs
The new MKxx55GSX family reflects Toshiba's ongoing commitment to enhance the environmental soundness of its products by discontinuing use of certain chemical substances and reducing carbon dioxide emissions during operation for each successive HDD generation. Toshiba has eliminated specified hazardous halogens and toxic chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), brominated flame retardants (BFR), antinomy trioxide and red phosphorus across all components incorporated in the drive. In addition, the 500GB MK5055GSX achieves a 20 percent improvement in energy consumption efficiency during operation over previous generation 2.5-inch products.(2)
Series Availability
Toshiba's new MKxx55GSX series will begin shipping in production volumes to OEMs and distributors in
Product Specifications
Model Number MKxx55GSX Series
Maximum Capacity (Formatted) 500/400/320/250/160/120GB(1)
Number of platters 2/2/2/1/1/1
Areal density Up to 371.9Gb/in(2) (max)
Media transfer rate Up to 952.7 Mbps (max)
Average seek time 12 ms
Rotational speed 5,400 RPM
Buffer memory 8MB
Interface SATA 3.0Gb/s (and SATA 1.5Gb/s)
Serial ATA Revision 2.6 (ATA-8)
Interface transfer rate 3.0 Gb/sec
External dimensions (WxDxH; mm) 69.85mm x 100.0mm x 9.5mm
Weight (g) Dual-platter: 102g
Single-platter: 98g (max)
Energy consumption efficiency Dual-platter: 0.0012/0.0015/0.0019 W/GB
Single-platter: 0.0024/ 0.0038/0.0050 W/GB
Shock resistance:
Operating 3,920 m/s(2) (400G, 2ms)
Non-operating 8,820 m/s(2) (900G, 1ms)
Acoustics (Bels) Idle: 2.5 (dual-platter)/1.9 Bels (single-platter)
Operating: 2.5 (dual-platter)/2.0 Bels (single-platter)