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    Opinion on Hitachi TravelStar HD20500

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009.

  1. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    What do you guys think about the Hitachi Travelstar HD20500 IDK/7K 500GB 7200RPM SATA Notebook Hard Drive. Is it a decent and reliable hard drive? Should I get a Western Digital one instead of this one? Although WD only has 320GB hard drive that is comparable to this drive.
    What do you guys think about this hard drive. Should I get it?
    LINK for Hard Drive
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
    #1
  2. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    That is the retail version of the Hitachi 7K500.

    Depending on your price range check out:
    hd2050/7k500 (500gb 7200rpm)
    Hitachi 5K500.B (500gb 5400rpm)
    Hitachi 7K320 (320gb 7200rpm)
    WD3200BEKT (320gb 7200rpm)
    WD5000BEVT (500gb 5400rpm)

    All great drives, but we can distinguish them.
    In the same range, the WD3200BEKT is faster than the Hitachi 7K320. Not by much, but marginal gains.
    In terms of battery life, the Hitachi 5K500.B is the best to choose. It is more power efficient than the WD5000BEVT

    If it were me buying, it would be 7k500, or 5k500.b

    Stay away from the seagate 7200.4, I personally know a handful of people who bought that drive when it came out, and most are on there 2nd or 3rd. They do not last, its a bad model

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 22, 2009
    #2
  3. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    So would you recommend this hard drive? Or should I get a Western Digital Scorpio Black instead?
    EDIT: so in other words, you would recommend be the Hitachi Travel Star hd2050/7k500, correct?
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
    #3
  4. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    It's a good drive but at $109 it's overpriced in my opinion. It used to $80, that was a good price.

    The Scorpio Black will outperform the 7K500 in real life. The WD will use more power and can sometimes make more noise.
     
    Phil, Dec 22, 2009
    #4
  5. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    Well... I am going to be using this hard drive as a secondary hard drive. I already have a 320GB 7200rpm stock drive in my dv8. I am looking for a hard drive that is pretty fast,(not too slugglish) but also has large capacity.
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
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  6. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    What brand is your 320GB 7200 rpm drive?
     
    Phil, Dec 22, 2009
    #6
  7. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    I actually don`t know- I haven`t received my laptop yet. However, according to people who received theirs already, it receives a score of 5.9 in WEI. I am asking those who received theirs at the moment. I`ll post the brand of the HDD when I find out =D
    EDIT: the brand of the hard drive is Hitachi HTS725032A9A364
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
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  8. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Whether you upgrade to Hitachi 7K500 or WD5000bevt, it will be very hard to notice any difference with your current hard drive.

    Only if you really need the 500GB space the upgrade makes sense. The 7200rpm Hitachi will be faster than the WD during multi tasking.
     
    Phil, Dec 22, 2009
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  9. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    Okay, thanks for your help.
    I`m going to purchase it tonight.
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
    #9
  10. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    If this is a secondary drive, I would look solely at the 5K500.B and WD5000BEVT

    As Phil mentioned the WD3200BEKT is as fast as the 7K500. In the short time I had a 7K500, I noticed my 7K320 was as fast, if not faster, so I opted to return my 7K500 drive before I had to pay the restocking fee.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Dec 22, 2009
    #10
  11. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Oh wait, I read that wrong, I thought you said you were not going to use it as a secondary drive.

    In that case I'm totally with K-Tron, WD5000BEVT or 5K500.B. Probably the Hitachi 5K500.b since it's the most quiet and uses less power.
     
    Phil, Dec 22, 2009
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  12. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    Well... I`m going to go with the Hitachi 7K500.
    There is a deal tonight that lowers the price of the hard drive. Although this drive is going to be a secondary drive I want it to be speedy since I will put games on it if I run out of space and etc. By the way, according to a person who received the dv8 already with dual HDDs, a Hitachi drive was given. Right now the WD5000BEVT and Hitachi 7K500 is about the same price(just a couple dollars different). So I`ll go with the Hitachi.
    Thanks for all of the help =D
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
    #12
  13. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Having had both of those drives, I can certainly vouch for the Hitachi - much faster and same if not better power usage and same if not cooler running too.

    You'll certainly enjoy the Hitachi, although I would set it up as the system drive if speed is your reason for upgrading.

    See:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5617217#post5617217


    Good luck and Happy Holidays!
     
    tilleroftheearth, Dec 22, 2009
    #13
  14. computerstriker

    computerstriker Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for the info!!
    And Happy Holidays to you too!! Can`t wait to open presents =D
     
    computerstriker, Dec 22, 2009
    #14
  15. msft907

    msft907 Notebook Enthusiast

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    $99 at Frys, I posted becnhmarks in couple of other threads in this Forum yesterday....avg 10% faster than Seagate 7200.4, whisper quiet - even defragged to listen for drive, and 400GB shock protection...heard some got for $80 on newegg, haven't seen that cheap, went to Frys big box store...very happy. I looked at WD Scorpio, 320 Black too small for the $$, and Blue is quick, but no where near this.
     
    msft907, Dec 23, 2009
    #15
  16. acaciapsu

    acaciapsu Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thinking of buying this drive for my HP-HDX-18. Anyone have any horror stories about this drive that would make me change my mind?
     
    acaciapsu, May 1, 2010
    #16
  17. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Phil, May 2, 2010
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  18. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    same here.. i'm just waiting for the UK price to drop.. its just oo expensive...
     
    sean473, May 2, 2010
    #18
  19. acaciapsu

    acaciapsu Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just bought this HDD from Newegg for $89.99. I hope I made the right decision!!!!
     
    acaciapsu, May 2, 2010
    #19
  20. ygohome

    ygohome Notebook Deity

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    You made the right choice... for a HDD you can't go wrong with the 7k500.
     
    ygohome, May 2, 2010
    #20
  21. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    General Info: If you live in the USA your local Fry's Electronics has the same drive for $64, this week.
     
    deeastman, May 3, 2010
    #21
  22. TANWare

    TANWare Just This Side of Senile, I think. Super Moderator

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    they were out of stock, last I checked...............
     
    TANWare, May 3, 2010
    #22