Samsung unveils 160GB iPod-sized drive

Samsung today upgraded its SpinPoint N2 drives to include a 160GB model, representing the largest capacity yet for a 1.8-inch hard drive. The two-platter drive has enough space for as many as 40,000 songs or 100 HD-quality videos but is small enough to fit in a portable media player, an HD video camera, or an ultraportable PC where a 2.5-inch drive would be too cumbersome. No sacrifice has been made in speed as the drive still spins at the same 4200RPM as the 120GB model made available in June, Samsung says.

The Korean firm has yet to announce a ship date or price for the drive, which may potentially replace the $249 120GB model already available as a stand-alone device as well as for consumer electronics manufacturers. Samsung typically refrains from naming partners for its drives but would offer the most capacity to companies such as Apple and Creative, who tend to use larger storage options in devices such as the 80GB fifth-generation iPod or the 60GB Zen Vision:M.