Getting into the holiday shopping game before it's over, Hitachi GST has launched a trio of new hard drive solutions - each with 3TB capacities.
The real stars here are the Deskstar internal hard drives, which are boasted as being able to break "2.2TB capacity limit on 32- bit Windows XP systems." But there are some portable options as well.
Each system is rather straight-forward, but as there are so many, here's the breakdown to make things extra clear and simple:
Hitachi Deskstar 5K3000 internal hard drive (pictured above)
3.5-inch internal HDD
32MB buffer
6Gb/s SATA interface
Uses Hitachi's Coolspin technology for cooler, power-saving operation
14% quieter than the Deskstar 7K3000
Availability: Shipping to OEMs and select distributors since November; also available in 1.5TB and 2TB capacities
Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 internal hard drive
3TB, 7,200 RPM hard drive
64MB buffer
6Gb/s SATA interface
Compatible with 32- and 64-bit Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms
No extra hardware required
Pricing: $249.99
Availability: Ships this week; also available in 2TB capacity
Hitachi XL Desktop External Drives
USB 2.0 connectivity
Compatible with Windows and Mac OS X platforms
Ideal for storing multimedia (i.e. photos, music and videos)
Pricing: $99.99 for 1TB, $169.99 for 2TB and $249.99 for 3TB