Toshiba MQ01ABD 1 TB 2.5" Internal Hard Drive MQ01ABD100
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AI Verdict
This 1000 GB, 5400 RPM, 2.5-inch mechanical hard drive with an 8MB cache is for basic, low-cost storage where speed isn't a priority.
Regret Score™
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Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Offers 1000 GB of storage capacity in a 2.5-inch form factor.
- Features Silent-Seek Technology for quieter operation.
- Demonstrates an average idle power draw of 0.5 W and a maximum of 2.9 W.
- Its 9.5mm height allows it to fit into most notebooks.
Cons
- Rotational speed of 5400 RPM results in slow data access.
- The 8MB cache size can lead to longer load times, especially during multitasking.
- Utilizes an older SATA 3.0Gb/s interface, which is slower than modern SATA 6.0Gb/s drives.
- Users have reported failures after less than two years of use.
- Small file write speeds were 16MB/s, significantly slower than contemporary drives.
Dimension Scores
With a 5400 RPM rotational speed, 8MB cache, and reported large file write speeds of 67MB/s and small file write speeds of 16MB/s, this drive is significantly slower than category average for 2.5-inch HDDs.
While the MTTF is 600,000 hours, multiple user reports indicate failures after less than two years of relatively light use, placing its real-world reliability below average.
1000 GB is an average capacity for a 2.5-inch HDD, suitable for basic storage but not high-volume data hoarding, especially considering 2TB+ 2.5-inch drives have been common for years.
Its 2.5-inch form factor and 9.5mm height with a Serial ATA interface ensure broad physical and electrical compatibility with most laptops and small form factor PCs.
Best For
- Expanding storage in an older laptop that only supports 9.5mm 2.5-inch drives.
- Archiving non-critical files that are accessed infrequently.
- Budget-constrained projects where initial cost is the primary concern.
- Replacing a failed drive in an old game console for basic functionality.
Not Recommended For
- As a primary boot drive for any operating system.
- Running demanding applications or frequently accessing large files.
- Users expecting quick file transfers or system responsiveness.
Watch Out For
- The 5400 RPM rotational speed makes it noticeably slow; large files wrote at 67MB/s and read at 104MB/s, while small files read at 39MB/s and wrote at 16MB/s.
- Multiple users reported drives failing in under two years, even with light use.
- Some drives were found to be password protected, making them difficult to format and reuse.
- The drive's aggressive power management and head parking could not be easily disabled by some users, even when attempting to adjust APM settings.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B009AYVNMQ |
| Brand | TOSHIBA |
| Color | Grey |
| Series | MQ01ABDu00a0 |
| Batteries | 1 A batteries required. |
| Department | hdd |
| Hard Drive | 1 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Item Weight | 4.1 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Toshiba |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Flash Memory Size | 1 TB |
| Hardware Platform | laptop |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | MQ01ABD050 |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Product Dimensions | 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.37 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Serial ATA |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Hard Drive Interface | Serial ATA |
| Hard Disk Description | Mechanical Hard Disk |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.37 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 1000 GB |
| Hard Drive Rotational Speed | 5400 RPM |
| Standing screen display size | 2.5 Inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
This drive is a relic from a different era, and it shows. Users frequently complain about its sluggish performance, with large file transfers crawling and small file operations feeling particularly painful. Beyond the speed, there are concerning reports of drives dying prematurely, sometimes within two years of purchase, even with minimal workload. Some folks even ran into issues where the drive came password-protected, making it a headache to even get started.
“Man, this thing is slow, I mean really slow, like watching paint dry. It died on me after 18 months, lost all my old photos, never again will I cheap out on storage!”
Common Praise
- It's genuinely quiet during operation, thanks to Silent-Seek Technology.
- The 9.5mm height fits perfectly into older laptop bays.
- It offers 1000 GB of storage for a very low price point.
- Power consumption is low, with an idle draw of 0.5 W.
Common Complaints
- The 5400 RPM speed makes everything feel slow, especially boot times.
- Small file write speeds are particularly poor, measured at 16MB/s.
- Drives have failed for users in less than two years of light use.
- The 8MB cache is too small for modern multitasking demands.
- Some units arrived with password protection, preventing immediate use.
- Aggressive head parking and power management settings are difficult to override.
Ownership Tips
- Expect significant delays when installing operating systems or large applications.
- The drive's low noise level is a consistent positive, even under load.
- You'll notice the difference in speed immediately if you're coming from an SSD or even a 7200 RPM drive.
- Back up your data frequently; the reported failure rates are a real concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this drive suitable for a laptop upgrade?
Yes, its 2.5-inch form factor and 9.5mm height mean it physically fits in most laptops. However, its 5400 RPM speed will make your laptop feel slow compared to an SSD or even a faster HDD.
What is the actual speed of this hard drive?
It has a rotational speed of 5400 RPM. Benchmarks showed large file read speeds of 104MB/s and write speeds of 67MB/s, with small file performance being much lower at 39MB/s read and 16MB/s write.
Can I use this as a boot drive for my operating system?
You can, but it's not recommended. The 5400 RPM speed and 8MB cache will result in very slow boot times and application loading compared to any modern alternative.
Does this drive make a lot of noise?
It features Silent-Seek Technology, and some users have reported it to be quiet, with one review stating it's '100% Quiet'.
What is the interface type?
The interface type is Serial ATA (SATA 3.0Gb/s). This is an older standard compared to the SATA 6.0Gb/s found on newer drives.
Is this drive reliable for long-term storage?
User reports indicate mixed reliability, with some experiencing failures in less than two years of light use. If data integrity is critical, ensure you have robust backup solutions.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at internal hard drives, especially 2.5-inch ones, you need to think about what you're actually going to do with it. Don't just look at the capacity number. If you're planning to run your operating system or frequently access files, speed is everything. For just dumping old photos you rarely look at, a slower drive might be okay, but for anything else, you'll feel the drag.
Capacity (1000 GB)
This is how much data the drive can hold, like the size of a storage locker. 1000 GB is enough for a lot of documents and photos, but modern games or large video files can fill it up quickly.
RPM (5400 RPM)
This is how fast the platters inside the drive spin, like how fast a record player spins. Higher RPM (e.g., 7200 RPM) means data can be read and written faster, making your computer feel snappier. 5400 RPM is on the slow side.
Cache (8MB)
The cache is a small, super-fast memory buffer on the drive, like a scratchpad for frequently accessed data. A larger cache (e.g., 32MB or 64MB) helps speed up repetitive tasks by holding more data ready for quick access.
Interface (Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s)
This is the connection standard the drive uses to talk to your computer, like the type of highway it uses. SATA 3.0Gb/s is an older, slower highway compared to the SATA 6.0Gb/s found on most modern drives, meaning data transfers hit a bottleneck.
Alternatives
If this drive doesn't cut it, look for a 2.5-inch SSD for significantly faster performance, or a 2.5-inch mechanical drive with 7200 RPM, a larger cache (32MB or more), and a SATA 6.0Gb/s interface for a speed bump without the SSD price.
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