Man.. I've been away for weeks and I'm swamped.... where do I start trying to catch up? New software, new facias... yikes.

Anyway, I thought I'd pop in and give you guys this link:

http://www.infosatellite.com/news/2002/11/a071102travelstar.html

IBM announced this Wednesday what it seems to be the "world's highest capacity mobile hard disk drive" at 80GB. The company informed that it could reach this level of storage by enhacing its patented "Pixie Dust" technology.

Besides the 80GB hard drive, IBM also revealed plans for launching a new 7200 RPM performance category in the same family. While the new offers don't arrive, the company is promoting the Travelstar 80GN, which allows up to 70 billion bits of data to be written on each square inch of disk space.

The company explained that this effect was achieved by "adding another coating of 'Pixie Dust'-- or an additional ruthenium/magnetic layer to create a five-layer sandwich called laminated-'Pixie Dust.'" IBM continues: "These additional layers bring about an even higher signal-to-noise ratio which allows data recording at ultra high densities while maintaining data integrity."

The 4200 RPM Travelstar 80GN brings a new 8 MB cache and drive operating acoustics reduced by as much as four decibels. According to a press release, this mobile HDD will be available in 20, 40 and 80 GB capacities. While the company has already begun to ship sample Travelstar 80GN drives to customers, volume shipment are scheduled for January 2003.

IBM talked further about the new Travelstar family, which includes performance speeds at 4200, 5400 and 7200 RPM. The company seems very excited about the introduction of 7200 RPM performance in a mobile hard drive through its Travelstar line. Additionally, the 5400 RPM mobile product line will be advanced to higher capacity and improved performance by the introduction of the Travelstar 80GNX, which will be offered in 20, 40 and 80 GB capacities. These offers are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2003.