Toshiba's DTR Technology Hints at 240GB Drives

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/10/toshibas-dtr-technology-hints-at-240gb-ipod-drives-by-2009/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/10/toshibas-dtr-technology-hints-at-240gb-ipod-drives-by-2009/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"With Apple launching their new iPod classic, pretty much everybody is now aware that 1.8-inch hard disks max out at 160GB. Thing is, that disk -- be it from Toshiba or Samsung -- is actualy spinning a pair of 80GB platters at its core. So what would you say to Toshiba's announced 120GB single-platter drive? Hoozah, seems appropriate. The new prototype applies Discrete Track Recording (DTR) technology to boost the areal density of perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) techniques by a full 50% -- that's 516Mb per square millimeter (333Gb per square inch). Tosh plans on mass producing the 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch (laptop) drives in 2009 which means that a 240GB "iPod HD" can't be too far away, eh Apple?"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/toshiba-dtr2.jpg" /><br /><br />It is funny that people keep track of the max capacity on 1.8" hard drives through iPod specs. Anyways, the current 160GB drive in an iPod is two 80GB platters in one drive. Toshiba is planning a 120GB platter by increasing the density of the platters. This is not only great news when it comes to new iPods but it also means bigger portable digial players and maybe the OQO III. :-)