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Seagate Momentus 7200.3 320GB: ST9320421ASG

Seagate is regularly updating its 7200rpm 2.5-inch HDD series. Each transition to higher-density platters increases the last number in the series name. Now, the 7200.3 series has come to replace the 7200.2 series with 100GB platters (we discussed it in our earlier article). The increased recording density has resulted in an appropriate increase in the storage capacity of the top-of-the-range model. Interestingly, not only senior, but all models of the series now come with a 16MB cache buffer.

By the way, the next series, called Seagate Momentus 7200.4, has been already announced. It is based on 250GB platters but, judging by the lack of such products in shops, this is just another paper announcement. Therefore we will discuss the 7200.3 series only.

Western Digital Scorpio Black, 320 GB: WD3200BEKT

Western Digital is a new player in this market sector. The company had used to produce 2.5-inch drives with a spindle rotation speed of only 5400rpm, but some time ago the highly successful Scorpio series split up into two branches: 5400rpm Scorpio Blue and 7200rpm Scorpio Black. All models of the faster series are equipped with 16 megabytes of cache and are currently based on 160GB platters only. The junior model uses one side of one platter and has a storage capacity of 80GB. The senior model is based on two platters and can store 320 gigabytes of data.

Like other brands, Western Digital offers product versions with a velocity sensor that helps park the drive’s heads quickly in case of a fall in order to protect the device from mechanical damage. It is easy to tell such models apart: the second last letter in the model name is J whereas ordinary models have the letter E there. By the way, every Scorpio Black series model has K as the third letter of the model name. The Scorpio Blue series have the letter V there.