Funny.. WD is so low-key on this that they only disseminated this info to a few select sites. But I guess they are making just enough noise to avoid lawsuits that techies may file if they did not first announce the problems of the 4K sectors. No point making so much noise to the point that even n00bs will take notice and shun the new drives. If they don't know why their 4K drives are slower, they wouldn't sue / demand replacements, would they?
There will be written noted on the drive sticker label stating advance format drive and what to do with it if want to install WinXP. Someone have to have balls take to first move in HDD industry to convert to this to progress further. WD has took the 1st move. Drives are already in the market..
I will give WD that - balls to get rolling first. IMHO, it's about time. 512 bytes have been in use way too long. But why so low-key? It's like they are hesitant. Kinda like a bride on her first night. IMHO, WD should be like the groom on his first night - don't know how it's going to end up but just want to get down with it!!
The drives are already in the market. Starts with GP drive, they have different model number then the norm and also a sticker label with a note stating advance format drive. The 512b drive will still be there and slowing phase in the 4kb drive.
More education ... 2.2TB capacity barrier why? 32 bits OS LBA addressing limit how? 4K native format aka advance format go figure ..
Logical sector 512 bytes OS addressing 32 bit Max Size:- 2power32 x 512 bytes = 2,199,023,255,552 bytes or 2.19TB If 4k native 4096 bytes Max Size:- 2power32 x 4096 bytes =17,592,186,044,416 bytes or 17.59TB