Purchasing 2.5” 7200rpm hard disk

Lately I have been considering upgrade my current laptop’s hard disk from 160GB to 320GB. Usually I install many development tool programs which take quite a large number of disk spaces, but because of my small hard disk and it is not enough to store as many system restore file, and cause my laptop to fail in an important system restore.

I decide to buy a 2.5” 320GB 7200rpm hard disk. Now I only realize there is no shop that sells 7200rpm notebook hard disk in Penang, Malaysia at all. I don’t want to use 5400rpm as it takes more time to load my program which I very hate. There is some shop even don’t know there is 7200rpm version of hard disk for notebook. I wonder how they open shop to do business. Well, final go through 20+ shops, I manage to find 3 shops who allow me to place order for the hard disk as they don’t keep any store. Well, I can understand that because this kind of hard disk is not hot selling item.

I was very surprise large computer hardware shop like PC Depot doesn’t sell 7200rpm notebook hard disk at all. I was more surprise when I ask the shop keeper about the hard disk. He replied me that he never heard of 7200rpm hard disk for notebook before. I always though PC depot only hire experience employee only. PC depot can’t fulfill my need yet give me this funny answer. Disappointed!

I go to Prangin Mall to try my luck. Nan Yang, which is the largest computer hardware shop at Prangin Mall and I was first time step into the shop since I haven’t step to Prangin Mall long time already. I told the shop keeper what I need and the shop keeper brings me go around the world. They told me we have but out of stock currently. Wow, out stock? That hot selling? So I ask them the price, he answer me is RM275. Second wow again, so cheap? Then I confirm with him again, I want 7200rpm not 5400rpm. The shop keeper realizes that he was misunderstood what I need and start giving me funny explanation. He said that their shop did not sell this hard disk as many customers complain head crush always happen on this fast spinning hard disk. Well, how a shop which never sells 7200rpm hard disk will have customer complain about head crush on hard disk. Damn, want to cheat me to buy 5400rpm also find a better reason please.

I also went to another computer hardware shop, but I can remember the name already, is name “brother” in Chinese name. I ask one of the shop keepers about the hard disk, and he replies me they also don’t have. Another shop keeper heard our conversation and shout out, “There is no 7200rpm notebook hard disk one, 7200rpm is only for desktop”. That time I really think of shout back him. If don’t know just said don’t know or just like other said did not sell, don’t act smart said this thing never exist. Unless you are professional and sure this thing never exist, or else just keep your mouth shut! In the end I also did not shout at the dumb shop keeper as my friend was around.

Surprisingly, I found eSquare which mainly sell notebook but not main on selling computer hardware got this hard disk, although need to order. They offer me the lowest price as well (so far I only found 3 shop sell this hard disk include eSquare). So I place my order there and even buy 1 external hard disk casing to place my 160GB hard disk when replace with 320GB hard disk later. Too bad all 3 shops only sell Western Digital Scorpio Black, although I want Seagate Momentus 7200.3, but Western Digital was not bad just slightly behind Seagate (according to tomshardware review).

Lesson learned, it is so hard to find 7200rpm notebook hard disk at Penang, Malaysia. Many computer hardware shop keeper know nothing but only know how to cheat customer to buy what is in their shop. If not sure about something, don’t act smart, people won’t said you smart but you making yourself such an idiot in front of others. 7200rpm notebook hard disk is damn expansive, almost the cost of 500GB hard disk for 320GB.