Topic: Storage Product: Hitachi E5K100 - 2.5" Hard Drive Supplier: Hitachi Reviewer: K. Elliott Date: November 13, 2004

---

INTRODUCTION:

 

The computer industry is well known for being in a constant state of flux and the small size hard drive field is no different.  In the last year the role of the typical 2.5" hard drive has been re-written by the consumer who has demanded that it become far more capable than it had in the past. Capable of holding more data, capable of faster access times, capable of streaming video or audio.  One other role that we are seeing a great deal more of is the use of laptop computers as a direct replacement for normal desktop systems.

 

So what has Hitachi done that is so special with their 2.5" drives?  Read on as we try to explain some of the amazing improvements that they have introduced in drives similar to the 5K100 we are reviewing today.

 

About Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

 

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies was founded in 2003 as a result of the strategic combination of Hitachi's and IBM's storage technology businesses. By the end of 2003, Hitachi GST became the industry's second largest hard disk drive manufacturer with $4.2 billion in revenue.

The company's goal is to enable users to fully engage in the digital lifestyle by providing access to large amounts of storage capacity in formats suitable for the office, on the road and in the home. The company offers customers worldwide a comprehensive range of storage products for desktop computers, high-performance servers and mobile devices. For more information on Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.hitachigst.com.

 

About Hitachi, Ltd.

 

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT - News), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2003 (ended March 31, 2004) consolidated sales totaled 8,632.4 billion yen ($81.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.hitachi.com.

SPECIFICATIONS

 

 

¹ GB equals one billion bytes when referring to hard drive capacity; accessible capacity may be less.

² Upper 417KB reserved for firmware.

³ RoHS refers to the European Union Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.