Seagate has developed new packaging technology for its hard drives that would make a cardboard-box blush with inadequacy. Seagate claims that the SeaShell 3D Defence System - which shields the drive from electrostatic discharge during installation - can also withstand 1000 Gs of shock. The whole system is designed to reduce the number of damaged drives that need returning. As well as the shock and ESD protection, the SeaShell, a thermoformed, shock-ribbed, translucent package, comes with a diagnostic toolbox allowing users to monitor performance after installation. Seagate estimates that damage from handling accounts for nearly half of all returns. Tests show that the SeaShell can reduce the shock from a 12-in drop by a factor of 10. The company claims to be the only one providing this kind of solution at the moment. Ralph McLaughlin, Seagate senior vice president in Storage products commented: "No other company in the industry is offering a solution like SeaShell, but due to the positive response our customers have provided, we expect other disc drive suppliers will adopt our solution or something similar." The new packaging will be further assistance to Seagate as it attempts to distance itself from the dead chicken nickname earned by its Medalist drives. ®