IBM has a long history of innovating and developing revolutionary technologies, including in the data storage space. The company developed several landmark hard disk drives that paved the way for modern data storage. In this article, we will explore some of the most impactful hard disk drives invented by IBM.
What was the first hard drive invented by IBM?
The first hard disk drive invented by IBM was called the IBM 350 Disk Storage Unit. It was introduced in 1956 and is considered one of the very first hard disk drives for general purpose computer use.
Some key facts about the IBM 350 Disk Storage Unit:
- Storage capacity: 3.75 MB
- Physical size: Refrigerator sized unit weighing over 1000 lbs
- Technology: Used 50 24-inch disks coated with magnetic iron oxide
- Data transfer rate: 8,800 characters per second
- Price: $34,500 at launch (over $350,000 in today’s dollars)
Despite its high price and huge size, the IBM 350 Disk Storage Unit marked a major breakthrough as one of the first commercially available hard disk drives. It paved the way for future hard drive developments.
What was the first hard drive for personal computers by IBM?
While the IBM 350 was aimed at large business and government users, the first IBM hard drive designed for personal computers was the IBM 33FD introduced in 1986.
Key facts on the IBM 33FD:
- Storage capacity: 20-62 MB
- Physical size: Half height 5.25 inch form factor
- Technology: Fixed platter hard disk drive
- Interface: ST-506 disk interface
- Data transfer rate: 5 Mbps
The IBM 33FD helped introduce hard drives to the personal computing market. It was used with IBM’s first personal computer, the IBM PC/AT, and later on with other IBM compatible PCs. The 33FD set new expectations for storage capacity in personal computers.
What was IBM’s first 1 GB hard drive?
In 1980, IBM raised the bar by releasing the IBM 3380 Direct Access Storage, its first hard disk drive with over 1 GB of storage space.
Details on the IBM 3380:
- Storage capacity: 1.2 GB
- Physical size: Refrigerator sized unit
- Technology: Fixed hard disk platter
- Interface: IBM block multiplexer channel
- Data transfer rate: 4.17 MBps
Reaching the 1 GB milestone was an amazing achievement at that time. The IBM 3380 held over 50 times more data than typical hard drives of the late 70s. It highlights IBM’s constant push for higher drive capacities.
When did IBM introduce its first 2.5-inch hard drive?
IBM entered the 2.5-inch hard drive market in 1989 with the release of the IBM 0681.
Here are some details on the IBM 0681:
- Storage capacity: 20-120 MB
- Physical size: 2.5 inches
- Technology: 2.5 inch HDD platter
- Interface: IDE/ATA-1
- Data transfer rate: 5 Mbps
The 2.5-inch form factor enabled smaller and more lightweight hard drives. This paved the way for portable computers like laptops. The IBM 0681 demonstrated that high capacity hard drives could come in small packages.
What was significant about the IBM Deskstar 16GP Titan?
In 1998, IBM achieved another major capacity milestone with the IBM Deskstar 16GP Titan. It was the first hard drive to reach over 16 GB capacity.
Key details on the Deskstar 16GP Titan:
- Storage capacity: 16.8 GB
- Physical size: 3.5 inches
- Technology: Giant magnetoresistive heads
- Interface: IDE/ATA-33
- Data transfer rate: 33 MBps
For the first time, consumers could purchase a hard drive that held over 10 GB. This enabled new possibilities for storing large multimedia files. The Deskstar 16GP remained the highest capacity drive for desktop PCs for over a year after launch.
What was innovative about IBM’s Microdrive?
In 1999, IBM innovated by shrinking hard drive technology to extremely small dimensions with the Microdrive. It was initially designed for digital cameras and handheld devices.
Key Microdrive specifications:
- Storage capacity: 170-1000 MB
- Physical size: 1 inch hard drive
- Technology: PMR inductive heads
- Interface: IDE/ATA-2
- Data transfer rate: 55 Mbps
The Matchbook sized Microdrive opened up possibilities for integrating substantial data storage into small portable electronics. The 1-inch drive dimensions were a design feat, miniaturizing hard drive technology.
How did the IBM Deskstar 75GXP advance hard drive capacities?
With the Deskstar 75GXP in 2002, IBM crossed the 75 GB capacity threshold for the first time in a 3.5-inch hard disk drive.
Here are some key stats for the 75GXP:
- Storage capacity: 75 GB
- Physical size: 3.5 inches
- Technology: Glass disk platters
- Interface: IDE/ATA-100
- Data transfer rate: 764 Mbps
This giant leap in storage capacity was made possible by new glass disk platter technology allowing narrower track widths and higher density. The Deskstar 75GXP boasted 50% more capacity than its nearest rival.
What advantages did the Deskstar 180GXP offer?
Pushing boundaries even further, IBM released the Deskstar 180GXP in 2004, providing up to 180 GB capacity.
Key features of the IBM 180GXP:
- Storage capacity: 180 GB
- Physical size: 3.5 inches
- Technology: Longitudinal recording
- Interface: SATA/150
- Data transfer rate: 780 Mbps
With double the capacity of competing hard drives, the Deskstar 180GXP delivered exceptional storage density in a standard 3.5-inch form factor. It also moved to the higher performance SATA interface.
How did IBM innovate with perpendicular recording?
IBM scientists developed perpendicular magnetic recording, an innovative technology allowing greater hard disk drive capacities. It was first commercialized in 2005 with the IBM Travelstar 75K80.
Highlights of the Travelstar 75K80:
- Storage capacity: 80 GB
- Physical size: 2.5 inches
- Technology: Perpendicular recording
- Interface: SATA
- Data transfer rate: 667 Mbps
Perpendicular recording allowed bits to be stored upright rather than horizontally, boosting density. This technology directly enabled hard drive capacities to keep increasing for years before new innovations were required. Almost all hard drives today now use perpendicular recording.
Conclusion
From the pioneering IBM 350 Disk Storage Unit to the Travelstar introducing perpendicular recording, IBM has been at the forefront of hard drive technology. Their constant push for higher capacities and densities enabled the growth from MB to GB to TB drives we see today. These advances also allowed for smaller form factors powering laptops, mobile devices, and more. IBM’s engineering pedigree and research prowess contributed immensely toward hard disk drive innovations that shaped modern data storage.