Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (http://www.hitachigst.com) has announced its new 375GB/platter, 5,400 RPM and 7,200 RPM, 2.5-inch hard drives -- the Travelstar 5K750 and the Travelstar 7K750 hard drive families.

Featuring what the company says is the industry’s highest capacities in a standard 9.5mm two-disk design, the new drives come in capacities of 750GB, 640GB and 500GB. The drives feature technology that delivers high shock protection.

The Travelstar 5K750 and 7K750 drive families are the first Hitachi GST hard drives that feature Advanced Format. Advanced Format increases the physical sector size on hard drives from 512 bytes to 4096 (4K) bytes. This helps utilize the storage surface area more efficiently, allowing for increased drive capacities and improved data integrity at higher storage densities.

The Travelstar 5K750 is currently shipping in volume. Hitachi Travelstar 5K750 Retail Hard Drive Kits will be available in November with a suggested retail price of US$129.99. The Travelstar 5K750 EA version will be shipping to original equipment manufacturers for qualification by the end of the year. The 7,200 RPM Travelstar 7K750 family, including EA versions and retail kits, will be available in the first quarter of 2011.