The 7200 rpm drive was not available when the 8500 was available.  The 8500 has been replaced by the 8600 and it does have a 60 gig 7200 rpm add-on option for $159.

Here is a review on the 7K60

http://ohls-place.com/nuke/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3743

http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20030813/index.html

Message Edited by bah32uk on 01-06-2004 11:20 PM

From the sizes, either drive will fit into a 600m. But Dell dosen't give the 7k60 as an option on that model either, sadly.
There will be a performance test between both drives at barefeats.com soon,I would look for it there.

So, is there an answer to this question or what? Does anyone know of any reviews of the Toshiba drive? Comparison between the two?

There is plenty of information in this entire thread.  The original question, to which I am assuming that you are referring, was which drive was best - Toshiba MK5024GAY or Hitachi 7K60.  There really isn't one answer.  It is kind of personal preference.  My preference, especially since I have upgraded my i8500 to one, is the Hitachi 7K60.  The drive actually has a slightly faster access speed than the Toshiba and it is 10 gig larger in size.  I am sure that you wouldn't go wrong with either one.

There do seem to be a lot more people using the Hitachi on this forums than the Toshiba.

Hitachi/IBM 7K60:

60GB

7200prm

Areal density 50Gbits/sq. inch

8MB cache

~$250

 

 

Toshiba MK5024GAY:

50GB

7200rpm

Areal density ????Gbits/sq. inch

16MB cache

~$199

 

Everything else seems to be pretty similar between the two. I wish I could find the info for the areal density of the platters...

 

Message Edited by chodaboy19 on 01-28-2004 06:57 PM

I purchased the Toshiba mk5024gay bare drive. I was about to install it but, I can't get the darn grey plate/bracket off the hard drive that came with my inspiron!! I have a 600m. Anyone wanting to upgrade thier hard drive will need that L-bracket face plate to get ANY drive into thier inspiron.
Dell said it's not suppost to come off and if I want another HD I need to buy it from Dell. And they don't sell the mk5024gay or the 7K6o for the m600! Plus, it costs double the price through dell!!
I'm so super angry at dell, it's my computer now and I should be able to upgrade my Hard Drive to any model I want!!.
If anyone has a solution, I would be estatic to hear it.
I poped out the three screws I found on the bracket, but the darn thing still won't come off!.
Help!
-Michael

Message Edited by 600ahem on 02-21-2004 01:33 PM

Ok, I found out how to get the plate off. I didnt see that the whole hard drive sits on a plate that holds the entire drive. I kept focusing on the grey bracket and front metal plate. had to take out four screws. They way its installed, i thought part of the plate was the hard drive tself. Silly me.

Cool. Let us know how it is! Benchmark scores would be good also, from PCMark2002 or Disk Speed, so we can compare it to the 7k60. Thanks!

stu

Both would be good..... most people are more familiar with PCMark2002 though, I know I would prefer '02. But we'll take whatever you give us .

stu

Would PCmark04 be better?