There has been a Moore's Law for HDD's longer than Moore's Law has been around. The growth rate is, unfortunately, variable and is driven by both technology and testosterone. Areal density grew at a 30% CAGR from 1956 to 1991, 60% from 1991 to 1997, 100% from 1998 to 2002 and now appears to be growing at a 30% CAGR. Perpendicular recording, coupled with tunneling magnetoresistive read heads may increase this rate. Expect more casualties.
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There has been a Moore's Law for HDD's longer than Moore's Law has been around. The growth rate is, unfortunately, variable and is driven by both technology and testosterone. Areal density grew at a 30% CAGR from 1956 to 1991, 60% from 1991 to 1997, 100% from 1998 to 2002 and now appears to be growing at a 30% CAGR. Perpendicular recording, coupled with tunneling magnetoresistive read heads may increase this rate. Expect more casualties.