Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Disk Drive Sector Discussion Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stitch who wrote (5990)	3/31/1999 1:42:00 AM
From: La Traguhs	Respond to of 9256

Stitch, Regarding the Fujitsu open discussions on their microactuator development, this is a thought I had on it. The use of the microactuator in the drive is going to require another level of internal software/hardware smarts and another level of interface control to the computer disk controller for it to work effectively (or maybe to work at all). Now I'm not sure on this, but your comments about the possible need for a "standard" might be right on. Fujitsu has long been promoting the concept of the disk drive becoming smarted, not only to perform more efficiently, but provide another direction for adding value to the drive. It's quite possible Fujitsu's public disclosures is an attempt to set a tone for that direction. Regards, LT

To: Stitch who wrote (5990)	3/31/1999 9:42:00 AM
From: Z Analyzer	Respond to of 9256

<<Most technology prognosis I have seen in the last year highlight track density versus linear density (recording frequency) as the primary half of the equation on which the design focus will be for overall areal density increases.>> HTCH claims to have broad patents on microactuation of the suspension while some others are looking at movement within the head itself. Would be interesting to know whether others feel HTCH has this covered. (One lesson from the last Comdex where multiple companies were displaying TSA is that it doesn't mean they own the technology. If its essential to the future everyone has to work on it regardless of whether they will nedd to obtain licenses.) As for Fujitsu, HTCH regards them as a potential customer (previously told to come back when they had adequate TSA capacity). Do you see Fujitsu making major commitments to new suspension capacity which would seem to preclude HTCH? -Z