Seagate’s high-capacity HAMR HDDs are built to tackle the demands of modern data centers.
Seagate has begun shipping samples of its new Exos M hard drives to select customers, pushing the boundaries of data storage with capacities of up to 36TB. Powered by Seagate’s advanced Mozaic 3+ platform and innovative heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology, these drives promise to transform data center operations by delivering unmatched storage density, cost efficiency, and sustainability.
The Exos M line is already gaining momentum among cloud service providers, with Seagate scaling up production of 32TB drives to meet demand. In parallel, samples of 36TB models are being shipped to select customers, offering them a glimpse into the future of high-capacity storage for enterprise environments.
Seagate has been actively increasing storage capacity in its hard drive portfolio and is at the forefront of HAMR technology. In 2019, Seagate launched the Exos X16, a 16TB HDD, and has been adding capacity each year. In late 2023, Seagate released the Exos X24 HDD, a 24TB HDD, and the progression continues with the new HAMR-based 36TB Exos M. Check out Brian’s podcast, #124, with Seagate’s Colin Presly, for an in-depth look at HAMR and the goal of 50TB HDDs.
Seagate 36TB Exos M Features
The Exos M hard drives are designed to address the growing needs of AI-driven applications, big data analytics, and enterprise-level data centers. One of the most significant breakthroughs is the 3TB per platter areal density, which allows the drive to achieve an impressive 36TB capacity within a 10-platter design. This innovation enables 300% more storage in the same physical footprint compared to previous-generation drives, making it an ideal solution for organizations facing space constraints.
Cost and energy efficiency are also central here. Seagate indicates that the HAMR-based Mozaic 3+ platform reduces TCO by 25% per terabyte and cuts power consumption per terabyte by an impressive 60%. This ensures businesses save on operational costs and reduce their environmental impact, aligning with modern sustainability goals.
In addition, the new M drives leverage 90% of components from proven designs while integrating next-generation technologies. This combination helps to ensure seamless performance for critical enterprise applications while maintaining compatibility with existing data center infrastructures. The Exos M drives retain the same form factor, interface, and cooling requirements as earlier models, simplifying upgrades and reducing complexity for IT teams. Moreover, these drives are optimized for efficient heat dissipation, allowing them to operate reliably without additional cooling resources. This design keeps data centers running smoothly without inflating energy costs.
With its massive capacity and efficient design, the 36TB model supports businesses’ growing data needs while providing a future-ready foundation for evolving workloads. Built-in Seagate Secure technology ensures reliable data protection, safeguarding sensitive information in enterprise environments. In addition, Seagate says these drives incorporate more renewable energy and recycled materials than any previous product, allowing businesses to meet their environmental objectives while reducing their operations’ overall carbon footprint.
Here’s a quick rundown of the new Seagate Exos M Series:
| Seagate Exos M Series Overview | |
| Storage Capacity | Up to 36TB (Model No: ST36000NM003K) |
| Areal Density | 3TB per platter |
| Platter Design | 10-platter |
| Technology Platform | Mozaic 3+ with Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) |
| Form Factor | 3.5-inch industry standard |
| Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Reduction | 25% per terabyte |
| Power Efficiency | 60% reduction in power consumption per terabyte |
| Compatibility | Maintains same interface, form factor, and cooling requirements as previous generations |
| Cooling Efficiency | Optimized heat dissipation without additional cooling needs |
| Sustainability | Incorporates more renewable energy and recycled materials than previous Seagate products |
| Primary Applications | AI-driven workloads, big data analytics, hyperscale cloud environments |
| Security Features | Seagate Secure built-in data protection |
Ultimately, the 36TB Exos M drives will be great for customers looking to pack more storage into the same space. The energy-saving features might also be an advantage for companies aiming to cut costs and reduce their environmental impact. It’ll be interesting to see how these drives perform once we test them.
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