Western Digital Caviar WD2500JB

Western Digital Caviar WD2500JB Capacities Model Number Capacity WD2500JB 250 GB Lowest Real-Time Price: Introduction Though the spotlight has been on the firm's 10,000 RPM Serial ATA Raptor WD360GD, Western Digital has continued to refine its venerable Caviar series. The original "Special Edition" offering, the WD1000JB, elevated performance to a new standard. Subsequently, its successors, the WD1200JB and WD2000JB, have raised the bar further, albeit in an evolutionary way.

The 250-gigabyte WD2500JB combines three 83-gig platters to achieve the 7200 RPM JB line's new flagship capacity. Though actual measurements have varied somewhat, WD has specified Caviar seek times at 8.9 milliseconds for years now- the 2500JB is no exception. Like all JB drives, it features an 8-megabyte buffer, a size becoming more of an industry standard these days.

With the slow but sure demise of drives spinning at 5400 RPM, varying buffer sizes are a way for manufacturers to distinguish between value and performance lines. Like its past brethren, the 2500JB comes to market with a counterpart that also features a smaller 2-meg buffer (WD2500BB). Given the relatively high cost of a 250-gigabyte drive to begin with, the small premium and considerable performance benefits that accompany the JB's 8-megabyte buffer should be worth the additional price to all but the most cost-conscious consumers. Western Digital also backs the JB series with a more traditional three-year warranty rather than the BB series' shorter one-year guarantee.

In a twist from its initial plans, WD intends to distribute the smaller yet faster Raptor series through retail and consumer outlets in addition to the originally planned enterprise channels. As a result, the latest JB drive's market has been subtly redefined. Those seeking the utmost in performance outside of the SCSI arena will turn to the Raptor. Other performance users willing to give up a little bit in speed in exchange for more capacity per buck will be served by the WD2500JB.