Western Digital (WD) has unveiled its new WD Scorpio 320 GB 2.5-inch Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives for notebook computers and portable storage devices.

WD uses advanced head and media technology to achieve the world's highest capacity 2.5-inch, slim, 9.5mm form-factor hard drive and includes proprietary features that make the drive extraordinarily quiet while running at cool operating temperatures, said a Western official.

The WD Scorpio 320 GB hard drives deliver high performance with 3 Gb/s transfer rate and are destined for use in OEM notebook platforms that offer the highest storage capacities to the worldwide market.

'In today's market, new notebook systems are increasingly targeting heavy duty applications in the office and in the home,' said WD's vice-president and general manager of notebook storage Jim Morris.

'As system manufacturers improve performance and add data hungry features, high-capacity hard drives become a key ingredient that allows users to fully benefit from the latest computing technologies,' he added.

The WD Scorpio 320 GB SATA hard drive is a direct result of the significant investments WD has made in proprietary head technologies. With the introduction of its latest-generation WD Scorpio drives, WD continues to offer mobile computing and portable storage customers the same outstanding quality, reliability and performance that have earned the company a leadership position in the desktop PC market.

The new WD Scorpio drive further expands the company's breadth of 2.5-inch, 5400 RPM, mobile hard drive offerings to capacity points up to 320 GB.

WhisperDrive - WD's exclusive WhisperDrive technology combines state-of-the-art seeking algorithms to yield the WD Scorpio 320 GB as one of the quietest 5400 RPM, 2.5-inch drives available.

ShockGuard - Leading-edge ShockGuard technology combines firmware and hardware advancements to protect the drive mechanics and platter surface to meet the highest combined shock tolerance specifications required for mobile and notebook applications.

IntelliSeek - Another unique WD Scorpio 320 GB feature is its IntelliSeek technology, which calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power consumption, noise and vibration.

WD was founded in 1970. The company's storage products are marketed to leading systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital and WD brand names. Trade Arabia News Service