Western Digital

Western Digital HTS723232A7A364 Travelstar 320GB HDD

3.9 (70 reviews)
320GB HDD

The HGST Travelstar Z7K320 delivers 7200 RPM speed in a slim 2.5-inch form factor for notebooks and portable storage.

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Overview

The HGST Travelstar Z7K320, sold under the Western Digital brand, is a 2.5-inch internal hard drive built for notebook PCs, compact desktops, and portable external enclosures. Spinning at 7200 RPM, it delivers noticeably faster read and write speeds than the 5400 RPM drives commonly found in budget laptops, with a maximum media transfer rate of 996 Mbits/s and an interface ceiling of 300 MB/s over its SATA 3Gb/s connection. The 16MB data buffer helps smooth out sequential and random access operations for everyday computing tasks.

Where this drive stands out is in its power and portability profile. Drawing just 0.8 watts at active idle and weighing only 102 grams, it adds minimal strain to laptop batteries and keeps overall system weight down. Enhanced shock protection adds a layer of durability for users who travel frequently. At 320GB, the capacity is best suited as a boot drive, a secondary storage solution, or a replacement for a failing drive in an older system rather than as primary mass storage for large media libraries.

Key Features

New 7mm z-height for greater design flexibility

7200 RPM SATA 3 Gb/s high-performance HDD

250GB capacity

Best-of-breed acoustics

Low power consumption

Specifications

Capacity
320 GB
Form Factor
2.5 inch
Interface
SATA 3Gb/s
Rotational Speed
7200 RPM
Data Buffer
16 MB
Max Areal Density
472 Gbits/sq. in.
Media Transfer Rate (Max)
996 Mbits/s
Interface Transfer Rate (Max)
300 MB/s
Operating Temperature
0 to 60°C
Power Requirement
+5 VDC (±5%)
Active Idle Power
0.8 W
Dimensions (W x D x H)
70mm x 100mm x 9.5mm
Weight
102 g

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 7200 RPM spindle speed provides faster data access than typical 5400 RPM laptop drives
  • Very low active idle power consumption of just 0.8 watts extends battery life in notebooks
  • Lightweight at only 102 grams, well-suited for portable and mobile applications
  • Enhanced shock protection designed specifically for on-the-go use
  • Standard 9.5mm height fits most 2.5-inch laptop and external enclosure bays

👎 Cons

  • 320GB capacity is limited compared to modern drives, which may not suit users with large storage needs
  • SATA 3Gb/s interface is an older standard that does not match the speed of SATA III 6Gb/s
  • Mechanical hard drive technology is slower and more fragile than solid-state alternatives
  • 16MB data buffer is modest by current standards

Frequently Asked Questions

It uses a SATA 3Gb/s interface with a maximum transfer rate of 300 MB/s.
Yes, the drive measures 9.5mm in height, which fits standard 2.5-inch laptop drive bays.
The Travelstar Z7K320 includes a 16MB data buffer for caching frequently accessed data.
It operates within 0 to 60 degrees Celsius, suitable for most computing environments.
No, it runs on standard +5 VDC power, which is supplied through the SATA connector in any compatible laptop or enclosure.