Fujitsu yesterday announced two new 500GB 2.5″ hard disk drives, the MJA2BH and the MJA2CH, which feature the industry’s best energy-efficiency levels. This is impressive enough, but buried in Fujitsu’s Press Release is a far more interesting feature…the ability of the latter drive to completely erase its entire 500GB capacity in under one second.

This would be a great HDD for anyone worried about the cops coming ’round, seizing their computer and searching the contents of their hard drive. With a one second erase, you wouldn’t have to stall them long. You’d probably even have time if they entered with a battering ram…unless, of course, your computer’s off and you need to start up first. Another good argument in favor of instant-on computers.

The MJA2CH also claims a world first title. It is the first 500GB HDD with AES 256-bit encryption, plus it encodes your data as it’s recorded, which should greatly speed up the encryption process. It uses a tiny 1.4W when recording data, which is the industry’s best - tied with the Hitachi E5K500.B also announced yesterday. Tough competition.

Both Fujitsu disks further reduce their use of hazardous substances too and claim to be halogen-free. The impressive MJA2CH will be available in Q1 of 2009, while the energy-efficient, but less-secure MJA2BH will start shipping from the end of December this year.

Sources:
Fujitsu Press Release via SlipperyBrick