Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD) on Wednesday afternoon introduced new 80GB and 160GB 1.8-inch hard disks — the same size disk drives that operate in the iPod classic.
The timing is unlikely to be a simple coincidence with Apple’s introduction of new 80GB and 160GB iPod classics, which were also unveiled on Wednesday. Apple does not discuss what components are used inside its iPods, however. A Toshiba representative contacted for this article could not confirm whether the company’s products are used in the iPod classic, either.
Toshiba claims the 160GB model is the highest-capacity 1.8-inch drive on the market with a CE-ATA interface, suitable for installation in portable media players like the iPod classic. CE-ATA drives sport performance and power utilization designed for consumer electronic devices and other multimedia applications.
The MK1626GCB is the 160GB model, and Toshiba said it uses a dual-platter design and measures 8 millimeters high. It uses improved read-write heads and media with an enhanced magnetic layer, to achieve an areal density of 353 megabits per square millimeter. Areal density measures the amount of data a hard disk can cram into its physical space — it’s derived from multiplying the number of bits per millimeter by the number of tracks per millimeter.
The 80GB model sports a single-platter design and measures 5mm high. Both units feature 15 millisecond seek times and spin at 3600 RPM.
The MK1626GCB can transfer data at up to 52MB per second. The 80GB MK8022GAA, which uses a conventional Parallel ATA (PATA) interface, transfers data at up to 66MB per second.
Toshiba did not announce prices for the new drives, but indicated that they’re being integrated by OEM partners for consumer products slated for the holiday season.
Toshiba’s Web site had not been updated with information about the new drives as Macworld posted this article.