WD Debuts 32TB 11-Platter Drives, Surpasses Seagate in Storage Capacity

October 16, 2024

WD Debuts 32TB 11-Platter Drives, Surpasses Seagate in Storage Capacity

Western Digital (WD) has introduced several new hard drives featuring an innovative 11-platter design, marking a significant advancement in storage technology and positioning the company as a formidable contender in the data storage industry. This cutting-edge design allows for greater storage capacities without the need to increase the physical size of the drives. Among the most noteworthy announcements is a 32TB Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) drive specifically designed for data centers. This particular model is noteworthy as it is WD’s first drive to surpass the 30TB mark, setting a new benchmark for the company. Alongside this, WD also unveiled two new Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) drives: the 26TB Ultrastar DC HC590 and the 26TB WD Gold SATA drive, further enhancing their product lineup.

By introducing these new drives, WD is significantly boosting its storage capabilities compared to previous models. Last year, the company had achieved storage capacities of up to 28TB for SMR and 26TB for CMR drives. The addition of up to 4TB in capacity sets a new industry standard and underscores WD’s commitment to innovation. While WD is leading the pack with its unique 11-platter design, the company is trailing behind its competitor Seagate in the adoption of Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology. Seagate has already made strides in this area by releasing a 32TB HAMR drive, with plans for further advancements to 36TB, 40TB, and eventually 50TB capacities. Seagate even harbors ambitions to reach a groundbreaking 100TB by 2025, placing them at the forefront of HAMR technology.

Competitive Landscape

Western Digital (WD) has unveiled a series of new hard drives based on an innovative 11-platter design, representing a significant leap in storage technology. This design enables higher storage capacities while maintaining the same physical dimensions. One of the standout announcements is a 32TB Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) drive aimed at data centers. This particular drive is notable as it marks WD’s first entry past the 30TB threshold, establishing a new high for the company. In addition, WD introduced two new Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) drives: the 26TB Ultrastar DC HC590 and the 26TB WD Gold SATA drive, thereby enriching its product lineup.

These new drives significantly enhance WD’s storage capabilities compared to their earlier models. Last year, the company offered up to 28TB for SMR and 26TB for CMR drives. Adding an extra 4TB in capacity sets a new industry standard and underscores WD’s commitment to innovation. Despite leading with an 11-platter design, WD lags behind Seagate in Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology. Seagate has already launched a 32TB HAMR drive and plans to extend capacities to 36TB, 40TB, and even 50TB. Seagate also aims for a groundbreaking 100TB by 2025, positioning them as HAMR technology pioneers.

Explore more

Paypercut Raises €5 Million to Streamline CEE Payments

June 4, 2026

The financial architecture across Central and Eastern Europe has long remained a patchwork of disparate national systems, creating significant friction for businesses attempting to operate across multiple borders simultaneously. This logistical nightmare often results in delayed settlements, exorbitant conversion fees, and a general lack of transparency that stifles the growth of emerging digital enterprises in the region. Paypercut recently secured

Autonomous AI Agents Drive the Next Finance Transformation

June 4, 2026

The traditional boundaries of corporate accounting have dissolved as autonomous desktop agents transition from experimental pilot programs into the operational backbone of modern finance departments. In this current landscape, the reliance on manual data entry and static spreadsheet management has been replaced by sophisticated digital entities capable of executing complex tasks with minimal human intervention. Unlike the rigid robotic process

Is BitMine Using the MicroStrategy Playbook for Ethereum?

June 4, 2026

The sudden pivot of corporate treasury strategies toward high-yield digital assets has fundamentally redefined how institutional investors evaluate the intrinsic value of publicly traded mining firms during this current market cycle. While the historical precedent was set by firms focusing exclusively on Bitcoin, the emergence of Ethereum as a primary reserve asset signals a significant shift in the risk appetite

Which Accounting Software Is Best for Your Startup’s Growth?

June 4, 2026

The difference between a startup that achieves market dominance and one that fades into obscurity often comes down to the precision of its financial architecture and how clearly leadership understands cash flow dynamics. While a revolutionary product or a visionary marketing strategy can spark initial interest, the long-term viability of a venture is anchored in its ability to manage capital

Can Enterprise Security Keep Pace With Generative AI?

June 4, 2026

The global digital infrastructure is currently witnessing an unprecedented evolution as generative artificial intelligence transitions from a novelty into a core enterprise utility, yet this rapid adoption has simultaneously equipped cybercriminals with sophisticated tools that outpace traditional security measures. Organizations in 2026 find themselves at a critical juncture where the speed of deployment often exceeds the speed of defense, creating