OEM drives? How silent are 2.5" hardisks?

Hi!

When I bought my laptop (Toshiba) two and a half years ago, it had a 6GB
hardisk which could be heard all the time while it (the hardisk) was on. I
then replaced it with a 20GB hardisk, an IBM I think, which is almost
completly silent. You must really concentrate in order to hear it
spinning.

Can I take for granted that new hardisks bought in computer stores these
days are silent, all of them, regardless of producer?

One store advertise one of its 2.5" hardisks to be "silent" (20 or 24 db).
Why do they specify it to be silent? Is it to be so much more silent then
other 2.5" drives?

Are drives running at 5400RPM more noisy then those running at 4200RPM?

Finnaly, the cheapest hardisk a particular store has, is produced by OEM.
Who are they? I seem to find only software links to OEM. Is it safe to buy
one of their hardisks?

Thanks if you can help.
Catalin



--

==================================
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, therefore, is not an act
but a habit.
==================================

"Doru-Catalin Togea" wrote in message
.no...
Hi!

When I bought my laptop (Toshiba) two and a half years ago, it had a 6GB
hardisk which could be heard all the time while it (the hardisk) was on. I
then replaced it with a 20GB hardisk, an IBM I think, which is almost
completly silent. You must really concentrate in order to hear it
spinning.

Can I take for granted that new hardisks bought in computer stores these
days are silent, all of them, regardless of producer?

Mostly, yes. The hard drives are mostly _quiet_ these days. Not silent, I
would never say that.


One store advertise one of its 2.5" hardisks to be "silent" (20 or 24 db).
Why do they specify it to be silent? Is it to be so much more silent then
other 2.5" drives?

Anything under (AFAIK) 32db is inaudiable by humans. Thus, they declare it
silent. I don't think other drives are that quiet (you can hear them
slightly)


Are drives running at 5400RPM more noisy then those running at 4200RPM?

Usually, but not always.


Finnaly, the cheapest hardisk a particular store has, is produced by OEM.
Who are they? I seem to find only software links to OEM. Is it safe to buy
one of their hardisks?

OEM is not a company. It stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and
means that it does not come with any extra software, manuals, anything. All
that is included is the hard drive, usually in a antistatic bag. It's safe
to buy an OEM hard drive as long as you know how to install it. OEM drives
are always cheaper.


Thanks if you can help.
Catalin

No problem.



--

==================================
We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, therefore, is not an act
but a habit.
==================================

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