Digital Home Thoughts: Toshiba Announces New 2.5-inch Hard Disk Drives

"Toshiba moved notebook storage a significant step forward on Wednesday night by launching the MK7559GSXP. The 2.5-inch drive is the first to hold 750GB but reach the same 9.5mm (0.37in) height as most slimmer notebook hard drives.... In tandem with the thin drive, Toshiba is rolling out the MKxx59GSM line, which brings 750GB and 1TB drives but in a taller three-platter, 12.5mm (0.49in) profile...."

Toshiba lists over 20 "PC & Notebook" hard drive series on their web site, with as many as 6 drives in a series, although only a handful appear to be available to the general public. The Electronista article picks up on two (out of six) recently announced series that emphasize storage capacity and power efficiency, with delivery dates to system builders beginning sometime in April 2010. My first notebook had a hard drive measured in MBs, and our largest current portable has an 120GB internal drive, so it is hard to imagine needing a portable with over 500GB. However, if your notebook is your primary system, a larger drive might make sense. Would you be tempted by a 750GB or larger drive in a notebook? Beyond capacity, hard drive makers are touting ecological selling points, such as power efficiency and environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques. Do you factor these into your HD purchase decisions? Are you willing to give up a bit of performance - or pay a higher price - to be "green?"