Samsung squeaks ahead with Spinpoint MP4
Momentary notebook disk lead
Samsung has claimed a momentary notebook hard drive lead with a 640GB Spinpoint MP4 spinning at 7200rpm.
It's the highest density 2-platter, 2.5-inch drive, spinning at 7200rpm. Mainstream 640 gig notebook drives spin at 5400rpm so MP4 users will get faster access to their data, 30 per cent faster according to Samsung.
The MP4 has a 16MB cache, and comes in 250, 320, 500 and 640GB versions, all with a 3Gbit/s SATA interface. It's got the usual anti-vibration and quiet-running features you would expect.
If you want a faster spin speed in this form factor and capacity area then you'll choose the fifth generation VelociRaptor with its 10K rotation speed but drop capacity to 600GB. If you want more capacity then you could choose Toshiba's MK7559GSXP with its 750GB but 5400rpm speed or Western Digital's similar 750GB, 5400rpm, Scorpio Blue.
Samsung's new drive will sample with its OEMs this month. Pricing has not been revealed. ®
