Unfortunately, very few people in the world can perceive, that there can be a "downside" to HDD with larger capacity. If you compare two models ST750LM022 (750GB, in this notebook) and, e.g. ST500LM012 (500GB, in other models of notebooks), which are both of the same HDD model series "Momentus" from Seagate/Samsung, you will find out that the former is ~8 grams heavier. Their weights are (according to some google search) 107 grams and 99 grams, correspondingly. Why is that?
The point is that the capacity of a single disk itself (the plate) used in HDDs of this Momentus series is max 500GB, and to make the capacity of HDD >500GB they add second disk (plate) and one or two more head(s) (in total 3 or 4 heads instead of 2).
Besides the weight, moment of inertia of 2 plates is also greater, so (if the same motor is used) it may take more time to spin 2 plates up to normal 5400 rpm when awaking HDD from standby.
But do not worry, if you ask the questions like this, all these minor "downsides" will be imperceptible and insignificant for you.

Posted by:

Ygrek

9 years, 9 months ago

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There is no downside to having a larger hard drive if all other things are equal. Rotation speed is what makes the difference in whether it's slower or faster. Typically the speeds are 5400 rpm or 7200 rpm. The higher number would be faster. So if the larger hard drive has a slower rotation speed, then it would be slower. Although, nowadays, the difference is nearly indistinguishable. Also, the faster rotation speed could make the hard drive sound louder in theory but, in my experience, the sound of either speed was not noticeable above the ambient sounds of the room. Bottom line....no downside to a bigger drive. Get the biggest hard drive at the fastest rotation speed that you can afford.

Posted by:

Gunslinger

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Kansas