Fujitsu MPG3204AH-E

Fujitsu sent us their 20 GB model, the MPG3204AH-E. The two-platter versions at 30 and 40 GB capacity comes with Fujitsu's FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) - but not the 20 GB model. A sticker on the top of the drive explains all possible jumper setups, making the drive setup quite an easy affair. There is also a web page address printed on the top, just in case you should require technical access.

The drive was able to show impressively short access times and the best data transfer speeds of all IDE hard drives ever. Particularly the transfer performance at the end of the medium was 10% higher than the second fastest model, Maxtor's DiamondMax Plus 60. The Business Disk WinMark finished with a good result as well, while the drive was not able to surpass the competition in the High-End Disk WinMark.

The MPG3204AH-E is also one of the least noisy IDE drives available. That could be achieved thanks to the fluid bearing system. In terms of operating temperature this drive also belongs to the very top, as it did not get hot at all during our tests.

Please click here for the detailed specifications.