WD(R) Launches High-Performance, 7200 RPM 2 TB Hard Drives for Desktop and Enterprise Systems

WD (NYSE: WDC) today announced that it is now shipping desktop 7200 RPM 2 TB hard drives and is qualifying with OEMs enterprise-class hard drives based on WD's 500 gigabytes-per-platter technology. The popular family of WD Caviar Black drives, now led by the new 2 TB capacity, is perfect for gaming, high-performance desktop systems and workstations; while the WD RE4 2 TB is suited for servers, network attached storage and storage networks.

High-performance hard drives by an industry leader in performance, WD Caviar Black and WD RE4 2 TB drives combine 7200 RPM spin speed, 64 MB cache, dual stage actuator technology, SATA 3 gigabits per second (Gb/s) interface, and an integrated dual processor to deliver ultimate performance in a maximum-capacity drive.

"WD Caviar Black 2 TB hard drives maximize the features and functionality of power computing applications such as gaming, photo editing, user generated multimedia and video," said Jim Morris, senior vice president and general manager of WD's client storage systems. "With the selection of WD Caviar Black hard drives, WD desktop customers receive the best possible mix of capacity, performance and reliability that is required for intense desktop computing."

"Specifically designed for enterprise-class applications, WD's RE4 2 TB drives incorporate the best combination of features, optimum performance, and superior reliability that customers have come to expect from WD," said Tom McDorman, vice president and general manager of enterprise storage solutions for WD. "Our enterprise products are directly aimed at customers who require additional features and extensive testing that are necessary for high-end enterprise environments."

WD Caviar Black 2 TB and WD RE4 2 TB hard drives feature the following:

    --  Dual processor - Twice the processing power to maximize performance.
    --  Dual actuator technology - A head positioning system with two actuators
        that improves positional accuracy over the data track(s). The primary
        actuator provides coarse displacement using conventional electromagnetic
        actuator principles. The secondary actuator uses piezoelectric motion to
        fine tune the head positioning to a higher degree of accuracy.
    --  IntelliSeek(TM) - Calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power
        consumption, noise, and vibration.
    --  StableTrac(TM) - The motor shaft is secured at both ends to reduce
        system-induced vibration and stabilize platters for accurate tracking,
        during read and write operations.

    --  NoTouch(TM) ramp load technology - The recording head never touches the
        disk media ensuring significantly less wear to the recording head and
        media as well as better drive protection in transit.

Additional Features for WD RE4 2 TB Enterprise Hard Drives

WD RE4 drives feature 1.2 million hours MTBF, Active Power Save(TM), enhanced RAFF(TM) technology, multi-axis shock sensor, native command queuing (NCQ), pressure sensors, third generation dynamic fly height, time limited error recovery (TLER), and an extensive and enhanced testing process to ensure long-term reliability for demanding enterprise applications.

Price and Availability

The WD Caviar Black 2 TB GB (model WD2001FASS) hard drives are available through select distributors and resellers. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the WD Caviar Black 2 TB drive is $299 USD. The WD RE4 2 TB (model WD2003FYYS) drive is currently being qualified by OEMs. Both drives are covered by a five-year limited warranty. More information about WD Caviar Black 2 TB desktop hard drives may be found on the company's Web site at http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=733 and the WD RE4 2 TB enterprise hard drives at http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=732.

About WD

WD, one of the storage industry's pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users' data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and media products.

WD was founded in 1970. The company's storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital(R) and WD(R) brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company's Web site (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to qualification by OEMs of the WD RE4 2 TB drive. These forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations, and actual results may differ materially as a result of several factors, including: challenges faced in new product development, business conditions generally, and other risks and uncertainties listed in WD's recent SEC filings, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2009. WD undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or for any other reason.

Western Digital, WD, the WD logo and WD Caviar are registered trademarks; Black, IntelliSeek, NoTouch, RAFF, Active Power Save and StableTrac are trademarks of Western Digital Technologies, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks herein are property of their respective owner. As used for storage capacity, one megabyte (MB) = one million bytes, one gigabyte (GB) = one billion bytes, and one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment. As used for buffer or cache, one megabyte (MB) = 1,048,576 bytes. As used for transfer rate or interface, megabyte per second (MB/s) = one million bytes per second, and gigabit per second (Gb/s) = one billion bits per second.

Key Messages:

    --  Maximum performance
    --  Ultra-cool and quiet
    --  Massive 2 TB capacity

    --  Dual actuator technology

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090901/LA68497)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000711/WDCLOGO)

SOURCE Western Digital Technologies

http://www.westerndigital.com

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