Toshiba Verifies 12-Disk Stacking for HDDs Amid AI Data Growth, Targets 40TB Models in 2027

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has become the first in the storage industry to verify 12-disk stacking technology for hard disk drives, based on company research as of October 14, 2025. This development integrates with Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording (MAMR) technology to enable the planned launch of 40TB-class 3.5-inch HDDs for refined for data centers in 2027.

The stacking technology builds on Toshiba's expertise in design and analysis for thin products, increasing from the standard 10-disk configuration in its nearline HDDs by adding two disks. It incorporates new dedicated parts and switches from aluminum to glass substrates for the media, which provide enhanced durability and support thinner designs. These changes result in better mechanical stability, in-plane accuracy, higher density, and increased reliability.

Demand for storage capacity is rising due to expanding cloud services, popular streaming video platforms, and growth in generative AI and data science. Toshiba is exploring the application of this 12-disk stacking with Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) for future higher-capacity HDDs, aiming to meet data center needs while reducing total cost of ownership.

The technology will be presented at the IDEMA Symposium on October 17, 2025, in Kawasaki, Japan.