Japanese Release FUJITSU logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1998-0182

Fujitsu Introduces New 2.5-Inch Hard Disk Drives for Notebook Computer OEM Market

-- Advanced GMR Head Technology Boosts Maximum Storage Capacity to 6.49GB--

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Tokyo, August 31, 1998 -- Fujitsu Limited has developed three new internal 2.5-inch hard disk drive models equipped with giant magneto resistive (GMR)[*1] head technology and whose high-end model features a maximum storage capacity of 6.49GB. The devices are ready for shipment and will be sold to the OEM market in Japan and overseas beginning today.

The proliferation of better performance, smaller-sized and lighter-weight notebook computers in both office and mobile computing environments has created growing demand for larger capacity 2.5-inch hard disk drives. Moreover, the increasing use of multimedia data requires notebook computers to process ever-larger amounts of information. Fujitsu has been a leader in developing advanced GMR head technology--which provides even greater storage density than existing MR head technology--and supplying these new devices for the latest generation of notebook computers.

According to Fujitsu, the new GMR head products boast up to 1.5 times [*2] the storage capacity of existing devices. Disk rotation speed has been accelerated from 4000 rpm to 4200 rpm; at the same time, the company has succeeded in reducing disk rotational delay time and increasing internal data transmission speed. Furthermore, the devices' 512KB data buffer allows highly efficient read/write processing, and the devices have a power save mode for low power consumption and a SMART (Self-Monitoring and Reporting) function [*3] that allows users to anticipate problems before they occur. The device interface is compatible with ATA-4 (Advanced Technology Attachement-4), and it allows ultra-DMA (Direct Memory Access) transmission at up to 33.3MB per second.

Fujitsu also plans to incorporate GMR heads in its 3.5-inch magnetic disk devices for servers and workstations and in 3.5-inch hard disk drives for desktop computers. Accordingly, the company will shift to GMR head production at its manufacturing plants in the Philippines and Nagano, Japan.

Product Highlights

Notes
*1. GMR (Giant Magneto Resistive) head
The newest head, superior to existing MR (magneto resistant) heads in read-in sensitivity and thereby provides dramatic increase in storage capacity.

*2. 1.5 times the capacity of existing devices
Comparing new MHE2064AT (6.49GB) model to existing HC2040AT (4.09GB) model with equivalent number of disks and heads.

*3. SMART (self monitoring and reporting technology) function
A function for self-monitoring of operational status; signals early alarm if it discovers an increase in errors or instability. This makes it possible to anticipate and prevent shutdowns.

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

Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu Limited is a leading provider of information technology products and solutions for the global marketplace. Founded in Japan in 1935 as a telephone equipment maker, the Fujitsu Group had consolidated revenues of $37.7 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31,1998.

With over 500 group companies, including Amdahl and ICL, Fujitsu is one of the world's largest suppliers of computers and information systems solutions, telecommunications and semiconductor products, software and services. The Fujitsu Group has over 180,000 employees worldwide and operations in more than 100 countries. Homepage: http://www.fujitsu.com/

Press contacts

Makoto Saito, Kazutaka Saito, Scott Ikeda
Fujitsu Limited, Public Relations
Tel : +81-3-3215-7952 (Tokyo)
Fax : +81-3-3216-9365

 Customer contact

Fujitsu Limited, Sales Department
Storage Products, Computer Products Business
International Computer Business
Tel: +81-44-540-4055
Fax: +81-44-540-4123
e-mail: koshio@hon.fujitsu.co.jp



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