URGENT UPDATE: Toshiba has just announced its plans to launch a 40TB hard disk drive (HDD) in 2027, utilizing innovative 12-disk stacking technology combined with Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (MAMR). This announcement comes as the storage industry intensifies competition, with rival Seagate already testing its own 40TB HAMR drives.
The impending release of Toshiba’s drives is crucial for data centers facing skyrocketing storage demands. While Toshiba aims to offer larger capacities and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO), industry dynamics suggest they may be playing catch-up. Seagate is slated to introduce its 44TB models as Toshiba’s 40TB drives hit the market, with projections for 50TB drives by 2028.
At a recent investor conference, Seagate CEO Dr. Dave Mosley detailed how their 10-disk configuration enhances efficiency in data centers, setting a high bar for Toshiba. Earlier reports confirmed that Seagate has already shipped limited units of its 40TB HDDs, leveraging their cutting-edge Mozaic HAMR platform for remarkable storage density.
Toshiba’s new design, which incorporates glass substrates for thinner platters, claims to enhance both durability and precision, potentially increasing storage density without compromising stability. However, experts express concern that by the time Toshiba’s HDDs are commercially available, Seagate could have moved well beyond the 40TB threshold.
Toshiba’s engineers are concurrently exploring how the 12-disk configuration can synergize with HAMR technology, hinting at a possible evolution in their product offerings. The company asserts that its goal remains to respond to the growing needs of data centers while maintaining a competitive edge in pricing.
As the HDD landscape evolves, Toshiba’s strategic move is timely, but the pressure mounts to innovate quickly. Will Toshiba manage to reclaim its competitive edge, or will it fall behind as Seagate and others race ahead in storage technology?
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story. For the latest news and expert insights, follow TechRadar on Google News and on TikTok for real-time updates.
