The current 3TB drive uses four or five discs, with a maximum single disc capacity of 750GB and a maximum storage density of 530Gb/sq. In order to achieve a 4TB hard drive, a four-disk drive would require a breakthrough of 1TB in single-disc capacity and 800GB in a five-disc drive, which is not easy for the increasingly narrow mechanical storage technology.
Thomas M, professional analyst for the storage industry. Coughlin Associates, the founder of Coughlin, said recently: “After desktop storage technology reaches 3TB capacity earlier this year, we may see higher capacity next year (depending on the slow development of storage density). It should also be able to see a slight increase in storage density, as well as 5TB of 4TB or even more capacity hard drives."
He also looked into the short-term outlook for other hard drives: "We expect that 2.5-inch external hard drives will also surpass 2TB next year to 3TB. Notebook 2.5-inch hard drives should be able to expand to 1.5-2TB in the second half of 2011 or early 2012. If Toshiba Willing to advance the capacity of 1.8-inch hard drive, it is also expected to exceed 1TB."
However, in the next few years, mechanical hard drives must move to new storage technologies if they want to retain their position. According to Coughlin Associates, “Traditional perpendicular recording technology will become increasingly difficult after 2011, and dual stage actuators or shingle writes are expected to continue to boost storage density. It is also necessary to decide which of HAMR or Patterned Media will be the cornerstone of the future of mechanical hard drives."
Thomas M, professional analyst for the storage industry. Coughlin Associates, the founder of Coughlin, said recently: “After desktop storage technology reaches 3TB capacity earlier this year, we may see higher capacity next year (depending on the slow development of storage density). It should also be able to see a slight increase in storage density, as well as 5TB of 4TB or even more capacity hard drives."
He also looked into the short-term outlook for other hard drives: "We expect that 2.5-inch external hard drives will also surpass 2TB next year to 3TB. Notebook 2.5-inch hard drives should be able to expand to 1.5-2TB in the second half of 2011 or early 2012. If Toshiba Willing to advance the capacity of 1.8-inch hard drive, it is also expected to exceed 1TB."
However, in the next few years, mechanical hard drives must move to new storage technologies if they want to retain their position. According to Coughlin Associates, “Traditional perpendicular recording technology will become increasingly difficult after 2011, and dual stage actuators or shingle writes are expected to continue to boost storage density. It is also necessary to decide which of HAMR or Patterned Media will be the cornerstone of the future of mechanical hard drives."