Toshiba intros HDD for rugged operating environments

[Jos]

Toshiba has introduced a new hard disk drive to its lineup designed specifically for use in rugged operating environments. The MK1060GSCX can reportedly be used 24/7 in non-conventional environments and can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from a high of +70 degrees Celsius to a low of -15 degrees Celsius. It also comes with better shock resistance than your typical HDD and can operate in high altitudes, but what you gain in durability you’ll sacrifice in speed and storage space – the 100GB drive spins at 4,200rpm, has a 12ms seek time and 1.5Gbit/s interface speed.

Of course, Toshiba is targeting very specialized non-PC systems with the MK1060GSCX, such as kiosks, digital signs, security devices and ATMs, where dependability is critical for storage systems, or for use in manufacturing and processing plants, where devices operate continuously without the benefit of climate control.

Toshiba also plans on introducing a smaller capacity 80GB drive with a PATA interface and 16ms seek time. No word on pricing, but the company expects to begin mass production of its rugged drives next month.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/41163-toshiba-intros-hdd-for-rugged-operating-environments.html

 

[cardriverx]

What is the average tempature operating range for a SSD?

 

[madboyv1]

A common operating temperature for consumer SSDs is around 0-70 degrees Celsius, though the range of course can be larger or smaller. Both HDDs and SSDs can be developed for much tougher tolerances, though SSDs are easier to to design for extreme operating environments due to their inherent design. The only advantage I can think of at the moment for using magnet platter the storage media itself is a little bit more robust for actual read/write functions, so in very high usage situations, the mechanical drive might actually be more reliable (and still less expensive).

 

[Guest]

How does high altitude affect HDD performance?

 

[madboyv1]

In mechanical, platter based drives air pressure is relied upon to keep the read/write head from crashing into the platter. The higher altitude you go, the less air pressure there is to help keep the read/write head in its proper height during operation. Granted, we're talking between a mile or two (2-3 km) over sea level where this actually becomes an issue (solved by a pressurized enclosure rather than your standard HDD which has a small hole to regulate pressure).

 

[Nima304]

Nice, nice. This will be great for use in the military.

 

[madboyv1]

Military specifications are far more harsh than your consumer HDD/SSD, and even this ruggidized drive falls short. For Field operations the military usually gets specially made drives.