Toshiba MQ01ABD

Toshiba MQ01ABD is a hard drive family created by Toshiba. The MQ01ABD series was the first hard drive family to use a newly refreshed model number scheme. It was released in 2011, following the Samsung Spinpoint M8 and Firebird family Scorpio Blue models. Reaching a maximum capacity of 1 TB, it and respective binned relabels are the only families aimed at laptops to achieve 1 TB with CMR and still remain in production.

History

The MQ01ABD family marks the continuation of restructuring of labels for Toshiba. The label was given a new layout, with a new DRIVE REV.

It received many derivatives throughout its lifetime, including variants for set-top box use, one with soldered USB micro-B ports designed for the firm's Canvio series, and rebadges aimed at the retail sector, versus OEMs as the original MQ01ABDs were. The MQ01 series also saw many variations in z-height, including 7 mm, 12.5 mm and 15 mm variations.

The first attempt to succeed the MQ01ABD was with the Toshiba MQ02ABF series, which copied initiatives from Western Digital and Seagate to cram two platters into 7 mm 2.5" drives. Previously, the accepted norm was one platter in this z-height. However, Toshiba quickly abandoned the concept and reverted to the MQ01ABD designs to serve the same duty.

The MQ01ABD series was largely supplanted by the Toshiba MQ04 series, which reduced the platter count for 1 TB in exchange for SMR use, making it a more attractive option for data drives in laptops as well as external drives. Nevertheless, the MQ01ABD series would continue to remain in production, even in the face of the MQ04 family.

Products

All N300 hard drive models have an equivalent MN series NAS OEM product line they are based on.

Current models

Model	Capacity	Year released
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD032	320 GB	2011
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050	500 GB
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100	1 TB

Former models

Model	Capacity	SATA version	Year released	Year discontinued
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD025	250 GB	2.6 (300 MB/s)	2011	2013
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD050M	500 GB	2.6 (300 MB/s) or 3.0 (600 MB/s)	2016	2017
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD064	640 GB	2.6 (300 MB/s)	2011	2013
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD075	750 GB	2.6 (300 MB/s)	2011	2014
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100F	1 TB	2.6 (300 MB/s)	2012?	2012?
TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100M	1 TB	2.6 (300 MB/s) or 3.0 (600 MB/s)	2016	2017

Trivia

• All MQ01ABD family members are codenamed Aquarius. Being the last known 2.5" codename, it is the conclusion of a wide range of astronomy/constellation-related codenames all given to 2.5" drives.
• Having been in production since August 2011, the MQ01ABD family is the longest continuously produced hard drive family.