Toshiba's 12-disk hard drive breakthrough could lead to 40TB models by 2027

Toshiba has achieved a breakthrough by becoming the first manufacturer to verify a 12-disk stacking design within standard 3.5-inch hard drives, surpassing competitors still using 10-disk configurations. The innovation required replacing aluminum platters with thinner glass substrates, allowing 20 percent more disks in the same space while maintaining stability. Combined with MAMR recording technology, this advancement will enable 40TB commercial drives by 2027, helping data centers meet growing storage demands.