And then there were four—terabytes, that is. Seagate has announced that it has become the first hard drive maker to roll a 4TB model off the line. The new GoFlex Desk squeezes four terabytes into an external enclosure with a USB 3.0 interface. Inside, you’ll find a single 3.5″ hard drive running the show.
Seagate hasn’t published much in the way of specifics on the hard drive underpinning the new GoFlex device. However, I suspect it uses four of the 1TB platters the company revealed in May. Those platters have an areal density of 625 GB/in², and they’ve already been used to fuel lower-capacity flavors of the GoFlex family.
Some of Seagate’s GoFlex drives spin at a speedy 7,200 RPM, but I expect the 4TB model runs at a more sedate 5,400 RPM. Seagate’s press release doesn’t mention the drive’s spindle speed, and higher capacities usually debut with a slower spindle before later revisions crank things up.
If you want to get your hands on the GoFlex Desk 4TB now, Seagate’s online store is selling the thing for $250. The drive is expected to hit other online retailers within the month, and a Mac version with USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 connectivity is due before October. Thunderbolt who?