Hitachi to boost 1in HDD output

Good news for Apple's iPod Mini

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

Posted in Storage, 26th March 2004 09:40 GMT

Free whitepaper – Standardization and Modularity in Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure

Hitachi's Global Storage Technologies company admitted today that it is not churning out enough 1in hard drives to meet demand, but pledged to ramp up production volumes as quickly as it can.

"We are planning to boost production at our plant in Thailand, and it will come sooner rather than later," a Hitachi spokesman promised, according to Reuters.

His comment follows a statement from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies CEO Jun Naruse on Wednesday that the company would increase 1in drive production to meet customer demand.

Apple, for one, is hoping that Hitachi makes good its undertaking. The Mac maker yesterday confessed that it had been forced to delay the launch of its iPod Mini outside the US because it couldn't make enough of them to meet demand in the States. Originally due to ship worldwide in April, the iPod Mini will now not arrive until July.

The iPod Mini is based on Hitachi's 1in 4GB drive, though neither company is willing to confirm the relationship. ®

Apple delays world iPod Mini launch

Free whitepaper – Standardization and Modularity in Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure