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2001-0215E

Fujitsu Introduces 2.5" Mobile Hard Disk
Drives with Max 40GB Storage Capacity

- Breakthrough media, read head technologies help
achieve industry's highest recording density -


MHR series Tokyo, October 30, 2001 -- Fujitsu Limited, a world leader in hard drive technology, today announced the global introduction of its next- generation 2.5" mobile hard drives, the MHR Series. Incorporating breakthrough technologies in media and magnetic recording, Fujitsu's new MHR Series boasts the industry's highest recording density (36.4 Gbit/in2) and a maximum storage capacity of 40GB. The introduction puts Fujitsu in a strong position to expand its leadership in the fast-growing and diverse mobile HDD market, which encompasses notebook computers, consumer electronic devices, audio-visual products, GPS, and other non-PC applications-including some specialized server application environments.

The new MHR Series supports the Ultra ATA/100 interface and with 20GB per platter offers capacities of 10, 20, 30, and 40GB. Incorporating Fujitsu's second-generation head load/unload and unique "Silent HDD" technologies, the new mobile drives offer exceptional performance, with a 32.5MB/s (max.) transfer rate and track to track seek time of 1.5ms. Fujitsu's "Silent HDD" technology results uses Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) motors, which greatly reduce non-repeatable run out (NRRO), offer improved reliability in harsh environments, and greatly reduce acoustic noise. Weighing just 99g, with a 4,200RPM spindle speed and 2MB buffer - and with 900G of non-operating shock tolerance - the MHR hard drives are ideal for intensive mobile computing applications and rugged environments.

In addition, as part of Fujitsu's environmental philosophy and a tangible result of its "Green Life 21" initiative, the MHR Series is produced using lead-free solder, the first 2.5" HDD series to be manufactured by this process. (For more information on Fujitsu's environmental practices, see http://eco.fujitsu.com/en/.)

"The new MHR Series from Fujitsu continues the very clear trend of Fujitsu bringing to bear the full array of its technological expertise, and translating that expertise into drives that will no doubt be among the very best in their class," said Bill Ress, research analyst at Data Storage Review. "At this pace of innovation and product development, Fujitsu is clearly serious about its quest for leadership in the 2.5" mobile hard drive market and is well-positioned to increase its market position."

"Fujitsu's new MHR series of mobile hard drives is a credit to the strength of our technology and our determination to be #1 in this market," said Sam Sawyer, director of storage products group, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. "The drives incorporate many of Fujitsu's technological innovations to provide more storage space in a smaller, quieter, more reliable drive. Simply put, that means Fujitsu is delivering today one of the best 2.5" mobile hard disk drives available."


Technical Innovations

Innovative Read Head Technology
Fujitsu's new read head technology improves the signal to noise ratio and the sensitivity of the read head, enabling the detection of lower amplitude and more closely spaced data signals. The resulting areal density increase achieves a remarkable 20GB of data storage per 2.5" diameter platter. Further advances in this technology are expected to lead to 2.5" hard disk drives with storage capacities exceeding 100GB, enough to record more than 20 DVD quality movies, within the next 2 years.

Synthetic Ferrimagnetic Media
Fujitsu's Synthetic Ferrimagnetic Media (SFM) employs alternating layers of magnetic and insulating materials that improve the thermal stability of the media. The new SFM technology provides an increase of up to three times the recording density that was possible with previous generation media technology.

Thermal decay, which can make recorded information unstable or ultimately causes loss of information, had previously been a bottleneck in the development of higher density technology. SFM technology allows thermally stable recording with high resolution. More information on this technology can be found at http://pr.fujitsu.com/en/news/2001/08/20-1.html.

These leading edge technologies give Fujitsu a major advantage in developing and rapidly bringing to market the most advanced, high-capacity, highly reliable and low-cost storage solutions. Fujitsu sees this advantage being realized not only in traditional computing and server markets, but in fast-growing markets and applications that require massive storage volumes, including audio, gaming, and personal video recorders.

Availability
The new MHR series from Fujitsu is currently in evaluation cycles at key OEM customers. Volume shipments will commence in early 1Q02 (calendar year).

* All company/product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are used for identification purpose only. Top of Page


About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a leading provider of Internet-focused information technology solutions for the global marketplace. Its pace-setting technologies, best-in-class computing and telecommunications platforms, and worldwide corps of systems and services experts make it uniquely positioned to unleash the infinite possibilities of the Internet to help its customers succeed. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 5.48 trillion yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.
Internet: http://www.fujitsu.com/

About Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. (FCPA) conducts engineering and marketing activities in San Jose, CA and sales and other operations throughout the United States. FCPA's current product offerings include: hard disk drives, tape drives, magneto-optical drives, scanners and printers. FCPA is located at 2904 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA, 95134. For more information about Fujitsu products and services, use our Internet Web site at http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com or call us at 800-626-4686 or 408-432-6333.

About Fujitsu Europe
Fujitsu Europe Ltd is the computer peripherals division of Fujitsu Ltd, providing a range of computer storage products, document scanners and printers directly to OEMs and through a network of distributors and resellers. All Fujitsu's products are designed and produced in accordance with the company's commitment to quality, value and reliability.
With offices in the UK and throughout Europe, Fujitsu provides a high level of support to its partners to ensure that customers are supplied solutions rather than just simply a product. With over 30 years experience in computer products, Fujitsu are the leading supplier of document scanners, with over 65% of the European market, the second largest supplier of hard disk drives to the PC industry in Europe, and a leading supplier to the audio visual and broadcast TV industries.

Press Contacts: Customer Contacts:
Scott Ikeda, Kaori Arai
Fujitsu Limited, Public Relations
Tel: +81-3-3215-5259 (Tokyo)
Fax: +81-3-3216-9365
E-mail: pr@fujitsu.com

Shareen Harvey
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.
Tel: 408/894-3926
E-mail: sharvey@fcpa.fujitsu.com

Jeff Urquhart
Voce Communications
Tel: 650/322-3227
E-mail: jurquhart@vocecommunications.com

Mike Nelson
Fujitsu Europe Ltd.
Tel: 44-181-573-4444
Fax 44-181-573-2643
E-mail: mnelson@fel.fujitsu-europe.com
Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc.
Tel: 1-800-626-4686
E-mail: bleiser@fcpa.fujitsu.com

Mike Nelson
Fujitsu Europe Ltd.
Tel: 44-181-573-4444
Fax 44-181-573-2643
E-mail: mnelson@fel.fujitsu-europe.com

Hard Disk Business Division
Storage Products Group
Fujitsu Limited
Tel: (81-44)754-2313
Fax: (81-44)754-2344
E-mail: myuzawa@jp.fujitsu.com

Please understand that product prices, specifications and other details are current on the day of issue of the press release, however, may change thereafter without notice.

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