Something has to be different otherwise everyone buying the HGST drives would just switch to the WD version since it's so much cheaper. Intellipower = 5400 or 5700 RPM right?
5760, IIRC from when someone recorded the sound and analyzed the spectrum. This is most likely a preview drive label or even a rendered image, the production label could be different. Mechanically, they would use a lower-speed motor with lower power (and lower-life bearings, say), use an actuator mechanism rated for fewer hours, etc. But the platter quality and helium filling mechanism should be the same.
What I sort of meant is that if this label makes it into production as shown, there's a very good chance that the initial batch of drives are Hitachis with the firmware tweaked to reduce motor speed and cost savings primarily from higher volume. You bet WD will find ways to deviate to reduce their manufacturing cost in the longer term. The published specs in any case will be different from day one (MTBF, URE, etc.), in line with their other consumer drives. Us, guess which version will be on the HCL for enterprise systems/devices
Wonder if the specs like URE really match the HGST HE8 ?
Like I said above, they MAY match internally for the initial batch of drives, but you bet the published specs will derate the enterprise values to whatever is standard for the consumer RED line. And in the near future, WD will find ways to actually cut down on the build quality so that the published specs are closer to reality than the HGST He8 heritage. Don't assume you're getting a rebadged enterprise drive, you most likely won't.
The Duos quick open is very interesting, because you can easily shuck (legit!) AND keep the 2-year warranty. In all likelihood, if one fails and you tell WD support you verified it by connecting to another computer, they will send you a replacement drive instead of replacing the entire enclosure+2 drives.[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]