60 gig ibm/toshiba notebook hard drive speed

[BrianSieben]

Hi,
I am looking at geting a 60 gig notebook drive.
There are 2 models, one from ibm (travelstar 60gh), one from toshiba (mk6021gas)

http://www.toshiba.com/taissdd/techdocs/mk6021gas/6021gasspec.shtml#General
http://www-3.ibm.com/storage/hdd/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/C5973B311E40B36D87256B290055562D/$file/T60gh40gn_ds.pdf

The gb ibm has a 5400 rpm, latency 5.5
4 platters, density 34 gig sq inch,
12 ms avg seek time
2.5 track to track seek time
ht 12.5 mm

the 60 gb toshiba has 4200 rpm, latency 7.4
density 48.8 gig sq inch
12 ms avg seek time
3 track to track seek time
ht 9.5 mm

Which is faster/better?

all things being equal, I would assume that faster rpm is a faster drive.
BUT they are not equal, the toshiba has a way higher density 49 vs ibms 34 gig/inch. Does this mean that with the higher density that the disk needs to travel less far to get the same data that it would at a lower density. Does this mean that the lower 4200 rpm toshiba is likely the same performance as the ibm
5400 rpm as the toshiba has a higher media density that makes up for the lower rpm?

Also note the toshiba has 2 platters vs ibm/s 4.
Does this make a difference, or just function of media density?

Are my assumptions correct or is one faster than the other?
Has anybody tested the performance of these drives?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[lhgpoobaa]

the travel star is significantly faster.
even though the data density is lower.
Typically the faster spin speed outweights the difference in data density.
the faster spin also means it is more responsive. (faster seeks)

however, the 4200rpm drive will be quieter, cooler and consume less power... something to consider for a laptop running on batteries.

one final thing... notice the travelstar is a taller unit. are you sure it will fit in your laptop?

Proud owner of the <b>Beige Beast</b> :lol: