BlameThePixel!

Allright, we've just about reached the limit on HD capacity with current technology.

Hitachi has an idea though - perpindicular recording. This orginized the bits vertically rather than horizontally.

How does it work? Just watch http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/recording_head/pr/PerpendicularAnimation.html (warning: not 56k friendly) and be amazed.

I think you mean HD density, not capacity? Interesting animation, funny how simple the idea is too.

Oh and if you want to know the future of processors, I suggest you read this page. This is about one of the technologies that was on the UFO which crashed near Roswell, 1947. Especially read the part about transistors the size of a molecule which don't give off any heat energy and switch at 12 terahertz.

Other technology apparently reverse-engineered from the Roswell crash includes lasers, kevlar, accelerated particle beams, integrated circuit chips and more.

Something else interesting: I ordered the book The Final Theory, I haven't got it yet, but it basically throws current science out the window. If current science is all rather wrong, hard drives could have a long way to go yet!

heh, we had this in the chat room a few days ago - it rocks.