Supplies of 1.8-inch hard disk drives (HDDs) have become increasing tight recently as Samsung Electronics has suspended development of such products, according to sources at notebook makers in Taiwan.
Toshiba and Samsung were the only two makers that still supplied 1.8-inch HDDs, but Samsung is turning its focus to solid state drives (SSDs), leaving Toshiba the only supplier left in the market, the sources noted.
The height of a 1.8-inch HDD is only 5mm, compared to 7-9.5mm for a 2.5-inch HDD. 1.8-inch drives can save space and are recommended by Intel for ultra-thin notebooks or netbooks.
The shortage could trigger a price increase hampering notebook and netbook shipments for several vendors in third-quarter 2009, the sources added.
Source: DIGITIMES
