Helium Hard Drive

US tech company, Western Digital, is planning to launch a range of helium filled hard drives. This could mean much better performer for hard drives.

Helium is one-seventh the density of air which means the gas could reduce internal drag, and in turn improve performance. Helium filled drives would reduce internal friction and run 5 degrees cooler than today's 7200 rpm drives. This means 23% less power and room to fit in seven disk platters as opposed to just five. That in turn could produce a 40% jump in capacity.

The idea of a helium filled hard drive has apparently been on the table for quiet some time. The main concern stalling its release is finding a way to securely keep helium from leaking. The solution Western Digital has devised is a hermetically sealed disk, that can be used in a wide array of conditions.

With luck, the helium hard drive is expected to be available next year.