2.5-inch Hard Drive Roundup

Vikingod · Dec 1, 2005, 06:06 PM

One of the most common questions new notebook users have is "Which hard drive should I get?" There are of course a variety of answers depending on budget and uses, but quantitative answers are hard to come by. With this review, we look to comprehensively test the majority of 2.5" hard drives available today.

We have all of the current models from Seagate, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Western Digital, and Toshiba. Unfortunately we did not have time to sample any Samsung drives, but it appears their drives are limited to older 5400RPM models as it is. As new drives come out, we will add individual reviews that compare results with the ones obtained in this roundup. Now let's get down to the hard drives!
__________
Read More / Source: LaptopLogic

Tipstaff · Dec 1, 2005, 07:12 PM

Perfect timing there, Viking. Thanks for posting that.

Matth · Dec 1, 2005, 10:50 PM

Just had to replace one in a friend's laptop.

The IBM/HGST Travelstar (IC25N080 model) did a DEATHSTAR and developed rapid bad sectors - so I will NEVER trust anything with the "Star" in the name - never mind selling the IBM drive business to Hitachi, they should have flushed it down the toilet along with their reputation!

Ended up FUMING, as although the machine still had the tail end of a 3 year warranty, by this time labour only , with AJP Computers (UK), they quoted £125 PLUS VAT for a new 80Gb HD.

More infuriating, the drive was actually still under makers warranty, but only on a "return to supplier" basis, wheen the warranty they give is labour only at that point in time.

Anyway, picking essentially the cheapest 80Gb notebook drive that wasn't a Travelstar (especially as the travelstars in stock were the SAME old model), ended up with a Samsung MP0804.

Faster than the old drive (5400rpm instead of 4200), Quieter than the old drive, and amazingly, lower power than the old drive.

That drive would have stood quite nicely with the 5400rpm crowd in the review.

Dec 1, 2005, 06:06 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	2.5-inch Hard Drive Roundup One of the most common questions new notebook users have is "Which hard drive should I get?" There are of course a variety of answers depending on budget and uses, but quantitative answers are hard to come by. With this review, we look to comprehensively test the majority of 2.5" hard drives available today. We have all of the current models from Seagate, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Western Digital, and Toshiba. Unfortunately we did not have time to sample any Samsung drives, but it appears their drives are limited to older 5400RPM models as it is. As new drives come out, we will add individual reviews that compare results with the ones obtained in this roundup. Now let's get down to the hard drives! __________ Read More / Source: LaptopLogic __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Dec 1, 2005, 07:12 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	Perfect timing there, Viking. Thanks for posting that. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Dec 1, 2005, 10:50 PM	#3
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,410 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	Just had to replace one in a friend's laptop. The IBM/HGST Travelstar (IC25N080 model) did a DEATHSTAR and developed rapid bad sectors - so I will NEVER trust anything with the "Star" in the name - never mind selling the IBM drive business to Hitachi, they should have flushed it down the toilet along with their reputation! Ended up FUMING, as although the machine still had the tail end of a 3 year warranty, by this time labour only , with AJP Computers (UK), they quoted £125 PLUS VAT for a new 80Gb HD. More infuriating, the drive was actually still under makers warranty, but only on a "return to supplier" basis, wheen the warranty they give is labour only at that point in time. Anyway, picking essentially the cheapest 80Gb notebook drive that wasn't a Travelstar (especially as the travelstars in stock were the SAME old model), ended up with a Samsung MP0804. Faster than the old drive (5400rpm instead of 4200), Quieter than the old drive, and amazingly, lower power than the old drive. That drive would have stood quite nicely with the 5400rpm crowd in the review.