Want to store lots of USENET content on your thin laptop? Well, good news as Toshiba launched the new 7 mm MQ01ABFH hybrid drive series, two drives that are packed with both hard drive platters and NAND flash memory. It’s the company’s first 7 mm hybrid drive family, and follows the 9.5 mm MQ01ABDH series models that were launched back in 4Q12. Toshiba expects to have samples ready for ODMs by June 28.
Toshiba is the second storage vendor offering hybrid drives for laptops that have hundreds of gigabytes of storage capacity without the high costs associated with large solid-state disk (SSD) storage. The firm announced two 1.8in hybrid drives with capacities of 320GB and 500GB that are 7mm high for thin and light laptops.
The MQ01ABFH series underwent multiple performance and compatibility tests with a variety of host PCs, including the PC Mark Vantage test. Testing for compatibility on a variety of PC systems including high-end notebook PCs, thin and light, and ultrathins, the drive proved compatible with 175 PC systems.
Similar to Toshiba’s other SSHD offerings, the 7mm model uses self-learning algorithms to optimize performance based on users’ data access patterns which can enhance their computing experience. The self-learning, caching algorithms manage what data is stored in the NAND flash storage for the fastest responsiveness, as well as how the data in the drive is updated based on intelligent access pattern learning.
