When I got my first computer in the early nineties, I remember wondering how I could possibly fill all 30 megabytes of hard drive space, even if I had a thousand years.
A decade and a half later, on a sunny August afternoon, I decided that it was time to invest in a terabyte drive. A terabyte. Seriously?
How did this 100,000x increase in needed space happen without me really noticing? I mean, it was always exciting when the next big milestone in storage space/cost was hit, but I never really took a step back and thought about the sheer scale of it.
I decided to dig up some historical pricing data in order to see how the cost of a gigabyte has changed over the last 30 years. Of course a gigabyte was a laughable concept to all but true 13375 back in the '80s, but it's a nice middle-of-the-road magnitude for the purpose of charting.
The data confirms it: there is a very strong exponential correlation in space/cost ratio (r=0.9916). Over the last 30 years, space per unit cost has doubled roughly every 14 months (increasing by an order of magnitude every 48 months). The regression equation is given by:
Several terabyte+ drives have recently broken the $0.10/gigabyte barrier, making the next milestone $0.01/gigabyte, or $10/terabyte. This is cause for skepticism among even the most ardent believers in the exponential progress of technology. How long can this trend last? Are we nearing the end of the Moore's Law era?
Stop back in fourteen months to find out.
Data
| Date | Drive info | Size (MB) | Cost | $/GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 January | Morrow Designs | 26 | $5,000.00 | $193,000.00 |
| 1980 July | North Star | 18 | $4,199.00 | $233,000.00 |
| 1981 September | Apple | 5 | $3,500.00 | $700,000.00 |
| 1981 November | Seagate | 5 | $1,700.00 | $340,000.00 |
| 1981 December | VR Data Corp. | 6.3 | $2,895.00 | $460,000.00 |
| 1981 December | Morrow Designs | 10 | $2,999.00 | $300,000.00 |
| 1981 December | Morrow Designs | 10 | $2,949.00 | $295,000.00 |
| 1981 December | VR Data Corp. | 19 | $5,495.00 | $289,000.00 |
| 1981 December | Morrow Designs | 20 | $3,829.00 | $191,000.00 |
| 1981 December | Morrow Designs | 26 | $3,949.00 | $152,000.00 |
| 1981 December | Morrow Designs | 26 | $3,599.00 | $138,000.00 |
| 1982 March | Xebec | $260,000.00 | ||
| 1983 December | Corvus | 6 | $1,895.00 | $316,000.00 |
| 1983 December | Corvus | 10 | $2,695.00 | $270,000.00 |
| 1983 December | Xcomp | 10 | $1,895.00 | $190,000.00 |
| 1983 December | Corvus | 20 | $3,495.00 | $175,000.00 |
| 1983 December | Davong | 10 | $1,650.00 | $165,000.00 |
| 1983 December | Xcomp | 16 | $2,095.00 | $131,000.00 |
| 1983 December | Davong | 21 | $2,495.00 | $119,000.00 |
| 1984 March | Percom/Tandon | 5 | $1,399.00 | $280,000.00 |
| 1984 March | 5 | $1,349.00 | $270,000.00 | |
| 1984 March | Percom/Tandon | 10 | $1,699.00 | $170,000.00 |
| 1984 March | 10 | $1,599.00 | $160,000.00 | |
| 1984 March | Percom/Tandon | 15 | $2,095.00 | $140,000.00 |
| 1984 March | 15 | $1,999.00 | $133,000.00 | |
| 1984 March | Percom/Tandon | 20 | $2,399.00 | $120,000.00 |
| 1984 March | 20 | $2,359.00 | $118,000.00 | |
| 1984 May | Tecmar | 5 | $1,495.00 | $299,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Corvus | 6 | $1,695.00 | $283,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Corvus | 11 | $2,350.00 | $214,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Comrex | 10 | $1,995.00 | $200,000.00 |
| 1984 May | CTI | 11 | $1,995.00 | $181,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Davong | 10 | $1,645.00 | $165,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Corvus | 20 | $3,150.00 | $158,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Davong | 15 | $2,095.00 | $140,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Davong | 21 | $2,495.00 | $119,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Pegasus (Great Lakes) | 10 | $1,075.00 | $108,000.00 |
| 1984 May | Pegasus (Great Lakes) | 23 | $1,845.00 | $80,000.00 |
| 1985 July | First Class Peripherals | 10 | $710.00 | $71,000.00 |
| 1987 October | Iomega | 10 | $899.00 | $90,000.00 |
| 1987 October | Iomega | 20 | $1,199.00 | $60,000.00 |
| 1987 October | Iomega | 40 | $1,799.00 | $45,000.00 |
| 1988 May | 20 | $799.00 | $40,000.00 | |
| 1988 May | 30 | $995.00 | $33,000.00 | |
| 1988 May | 45 | $1,195.00 | $27,000.00 | |
| 1988 May | 60 | $1,795.00 | $30,000.00 | |
| 1988 May | 250 | $3,995.00 | $16,000.00 | |
| 1989 March | Western Digital | 20 | $899.00 | $53,000.00 |
| 1989 March | Western Digital | 40 | $1,199.00 | $36,000.00 |
| 1989 September | $12,000.00 | |||
| 1990 September | $9,000.00 | |||
| 1991 September | $7,000.00 | |||
| 1992 September | $4,000.00 | |||
| 1993 September | $2,000.00 | |||
| 1994 September | $950.00 | |||
| 1995 January | Seagate | 1,000 | $849.00 | $850.00 |
| 1995 January | Seagate | 1,700 | $1,499.00 | $880.00 |
| 1995 January | Seagate | 2,100 | $1,699.00 | $810.00 |
| 1995 January | Seagate | 2,900 | $2,899.00 | $990.00 |
| 1995 April | 240 | $250.00 | $1,260.00 | |
| 1995 April | 420 | $320.00 | $922.00 | |
| 1995 April | 520 | $380.00 | $884.00 | |
| 1995 April | 850 | $470.00 | $669.00 | |
| 1995 April | 1,000 | $625.00 | $756.00 | |
| 1995 April | 1,200 | $680.00 | $686.00 | |
| 1996 June 10 | Western Digital | 1,600 | $399.99 | $295.00 |
| 1996 August 14 | IBM | 1,760 | $379.99 | $263.00 |
| 1996 August 14 | Maxtor | 2,000 | $439.99 | $259.00 |
| 1996 September | Quantum | 2,500 | $440.00 | $207.00 |
| 1996 September | Quantum | 3,200 | $469.00 | $173.00 |
| 1997 August 13 | Western Digital | 2,100 | $329.99 | $181.00 |
| 1997 August 13 | Western Digital | 3,100 | $399.99 | $148.00 |
| 1997 August 13 | Western Digital | 4,000 | $490.99 | $141.00 |
| 1997 August 24 | Western Digital | 2,100 | $279.99 | $153.00 |
| 1997 August 24 | Western Digital | 3,100 | $329.99 | $122.00 |
| 1997 August 24 | Maxtor | 3,500 | $359.99 | $118.00 |
| 1997 August 24 | Maxtor | 4,300 | $439.99 | $118.00 |
| 1997 August 24 | Western Digital | 5,100 | $459.99 | $104.00 |
| 1997 September 5 | Maxtor | 7,000 | $669.99 | $110.00 |
| 1997 November 29 | Western Digital | 3,200 | $289.00 | $104.00 |
| 1997 November 29 | Quantum | 3,200 | $285.00 | $102.00 |
| 1997 November 29 | Quantum | 4,300 | $379.00 | $101.00 |
| 1997 November 29 | Western Digital | 4,300 | $365.00 | $97.60 |
| 1997 November 29 | Quantum | 6,400 | $475.00 | $85.40 |
| 1997 November 29 | Western Digital | 6,400 | $445.00 | $80.00 |
| 1997 December 3 | Western Digital | 5,100 | $449.99 | $101.00 |
| 1997 December 3 | Quantum | 6,400 | $549.99 | $98.80 |
| 1997 December 3 | Maxtor | 5,200 | $438.99 | $97.10 |
| 1997 December 3 | Maxtor | 7,000 | $579.99 | $95.30 |
| 1997 December 3 | Maxtor | 8,400 | $679.99 | $93.10 |
| 1998 January 16 | Western Digital | 6,400 | $529.99 | $95.20 |
| 1998 January 16 | Quantum | 4,300 | $349.99 | $93.60 |
| 1998 January 16 | Quantum | 6,400 | $479.99 | $86.30 |
| 1998 January 16 | Maxtor | 8,400 | $83.90 | |
| 1998 February 3 | 5,200 | $355.00 | $78.50 | |
| 1998 February 3 | 6,400 | $435.00 | $78.20 | |
| 1998 April 2 | Maxtor | 5,100 | $379.99 | $85.70 |
| 1998 April 2 | Maxtor | 4,300 | $319.99 | $85.60 |
| 1998 April 2 | Western Digital | 6,400 | $74.30 | |
| 1998 April 2 | Quantum | 6,400 | $339.99 | $61.10 |
| 1998 April 4 | 5,200 | $349.00 | $77.20 | |
| 1998 April 4 | Maxtor | 4,300 | $76.30 | |
| 1998 April 4 | 6,400 | $370.00 | $66.50 | |
| 1998 April 4 | 5,200 | $300.00 | $66.30 | |
| 1998 April 4 | 9,000 | $499.00 | $63.80 | |
| 1998 April 17 | Fujitsu | 4,300 | $282.00 | $75.40 |
| 1998 April 17 | Fujitsu | 5,200 | $331.00 | $73.20 |
| 1998 April 17 | Fujitsu | 6,400 | $368.00 | $66.10 |
| 1998 May 2 | Seagate | 6,400 | $349.99 | $62.90 |
| 1998 May 9 | Seagate | 6,400 | $329.99 | $59.30 |
| 1998 May 11 | Fujitsu | 3,200 | $227.00 | $81.60 |
| 1998 May 11 | Fujitsu | 4,300 | $257.00 | $68.70 |
| 1998 May 11 | Fujitsu | 5,200 | $299.00 | $66.10 |
| 1998 May 11 | Fujitsu | 6,400 | $328.00 | $58.90 |
| 1998 June 6 | Maxtor | 5,700 | $299.99 | $60.50 |
| 1998 June 12 | Quantum | 4,300 | $228.00 | $61.00 |
| 1998 June 12 | Quantum | 6,400 | $298.00 | $53.50 |
| 1998 July 15 | 5,200 | $249.00 | $55.10 | |
| 1998 July 31 | Western Digital IDE | 5,100 | $262.00 | $59.10 |
| 1998 July 31 | Fujitsu IDE | 5,200 | $252.00 | $55.70 |
| 1998 July 31 | Western Digital IDE | 6,400 | $294.00 | $52.80 |
| 1998 July 31 | Western Digital IDE | 8,400 | $382.00 | $52.30 |
| 1998 July 31 | Fujitsu IDE | 6,400 | $291.00 | $52.30 |
| 1998 August 1 | Western Digital EIDE | 4,000 | $54.60 | |
| 1998 August 6 | Western Digital EIDE | 5,100 | $46.40 | |
| 1998 August 14 | Fujitsu | 6,400 | $289.00 | $51.90 |
| 1998 August 26 | Seagate | 6,400 | $279.99 | $50.30 |
| 1998 September 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 8,400 | $379.99 | $52.00 |
| 1998 September 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 6,800 | $279.99 | $47.40 |
| 1998 September 10 | Western Digital EIDE | 5,100 | $47.90 | |
| 1998 October 1 | Quantum | 6,400 | $42.60 | |
| 1999 February 12 | Quantum | 8,000 | $299.99 | $43.10 |
| 1999 February 26 | Maxtor | 8,400 | $37.70 | |
| 1999 February 26 | Quantum | 8,000 | $36.50 | |
| 1999 February 27 | Quantum | 19,200 | $512.46 | $30.70 |
| 1999 March 1 | Fujitsu Ultra DMA | 8,400 | $253.00 | $34.60 |
| 1999 March 1 | Fujitsu Ultra DMA | 10,200 | $299.00 | $33.70 |
| 1999 March 3 | Fujitsu Ultra DMA | 8,400 | $235.00 | $32.20 |
| 1999 March 3 | Fujitsu Ultra DMA | 10,200 | $285.00 | $32.10 |
| 1999 April 1 | Fujitsu UDMA | 10,200 | $279.00 | $31.50 |
| 1999 April 1 | Fujitsu UDMA | 8,400 | $229.00 | $31.40 |
| 1999 May 21 | Fujitsu UDMA | 6,400 | $179.99 | $32.30 |
| 1999 May 27 | Fujitsu UDMA | 10,200 | $245.00 | $27.60 |
| 1999 May 27 | Fujitsu UDMA | 8,400 | $198.00 | $27.10 |
| 1999 May 27 | Fujitsu UDMA | 17,300 | $369.00 | $24.50 |
| 1999 May 28 | Maxtor UDMA | 10,000 | $249.99 | $28.80 |
| 1999 July 21 | Maxtor Ultra DMA | 8,400 | $199.99 | $27.40 |
| 1999 July 30 | Fujitsu UDMA | 6,400 | $139.99 | $26.30 |
| 1999 September 25 | 10,200 | $18.50 | ||
| 1999 October 1 | Quantum CX UTA 66 | 10,200 | $199.00 | $22.40 |
| 1999 October 1 | Quantum KA 7200 rpm | 13,600 | $249.00 | $21.10 |
| 1999 October 1 | Western Digital | 20,000 | $359.00 | $20.60 |
| 1999 October 1 | Western Digital 7200 rpm | 27,300 | $489.00 | $20.60 |
| 1999 October 1 | Quantum CX UTA 66 | 13,600 | $219.00 | $18.50 |
| 1999 December 1 | Western Digital IDE | 20,500 | $398.00 | $22.30 |
| 1999 December 1 | Quantum IDE | 18,200 | $348.00 | $22.00 |
| 1999 December 1 | 10,200 | $189.00 | $21.30 | |
| 1999 December 1 | Fujitsu IDE | 10,200 | $189.00 | $21.30 |
| 1999 December 1 | Fujitsu IDE | 13,000 | $208.00 | $18.40 |
| 1999 December 1 | 13,000 | $195.00 | $17.30 | |
| 1999 December 1 | Fujitsu IDE | 20,400 | $299.00 | $16.90 |
| 1999 December 1 | Fujitsu IDE | 17,300 | $248.00 | $16.50 |
| 1999 December 1 | Fujitsu IDE | 27,300 | $388.00 | $16.30 |
| 1999 December 1 | 17,300 | $225.00 | $15.00 | |
| 2000 February 1 | 10,200 | $175.00 | $19.70 | |
| 2000 February 1 | Fujitsu | 20,400 | $299.00 | $16.90 |
| 2000 February 1 | Fujitsu | 13,600 | $199.00 | $16.80 |
| 2000 February 1 | 12,900 | $187.99 | $16.80 | |
| 2000 February 1 | Fujitsu | 13,600 | $197.80 | $16.70 |
| 2000 February 1 | 13,000 | $186.00 | $16.50 | |
| 2000 February 1 | Fujitsu | 17,300 | $238.00 | $15.80 |
| 2000 February 1 | Fujitsu | 27,300 | $375.00 | $15.80 |
| 2000 February 1 | Fujitsu | 17,300 | $232.30 | $15.40 |
| 2000 February 1 | 17,300 | $215.00 | $14.30 | |
| 2000 February 1 | 20,400 | $211.99 | $12.00 | |
| 2000 April 1 | IBM | 20,500 | $279.00 | $15.70 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor | 15,200 | $199.00 | $15.10 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor 7200 rpm | 20,000 | $259.00 | $14.90 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 15,000 | $192.00 | $14.70 |
| 2000 April 1 | Seagate UDMA | 17,200 | $218.00 | $14.60 |
| 2000 April 1 | Seagate UDMA | 28,000 | $349.00 | $14.30 |
| 2000 April 1 | 17,300 | $215.00 | $14.30 | |
| 2000 April 1 | IBM UDMA 5400 rpm | 20,300 | $245.00 | $13.90 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 17,000 | $204.00 | $13.80 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor 7200 rpm | 27,000 | $320.00 | $13.60 |
| 2000 April 1 | 20,400 | $239.00 | $13.50 | |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 36,500 | $411.00 | $13.00 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 27,000 | $299.00 | $12.70 |
| 2000 April 1 | Western Digital UDMA | 20,000 | $218.00 | $12.50 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 20,000 | $217.00 | $12.50 |
| 2000 April 1 | Maxtor UDMA | 30,000 | $308.00 | $11.80 |
| 2000 May 12 | Western Digital Ultra ATA/66 5400 rpm | 13,600 | $179.99 | $15.20 |
| 2000 May 12 | Maxtor UDMA/66 7200 rpm | 30,000 | $319.99 | $12.30 |
| 2000 May 12 | Maxtor UDMA/66 7200 rpm | 40,000 | $399.99 | $11.50 |
| 2000 June 2 | Maxtor UDMA/66 5400 rpm | 15,000 | $189.99 | $14.60 |
| 2000 August 1 | Samsung | 15,000 | $162.00 | $12.40 |
| 2000 August 1 | Maxtor IDE 7200rpm | 30,500 | $298.00 | $11.20 |
| 2000 August 1 | Samsung | 20,000 | $175.00 | $10.10 |
| 2000 August 19-20 | Maxtor 7200rpm 9ms | 40,900 | $388.00 | $10.90 |
| 2000 August 19-20 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 15,300 | $144.00 | $10.80 |
| 2000 August 19-20 | Maxtor 7200rpm 9ms | 30,700 | $278.00 | $10.40 |
| 2000 August 19-20 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 20,400 | $164.00 | $9.25 |
| 2000 August 19-20 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 30,700 | $214.00 | $8.02 |
| 2000 August 25 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 15,000 | $149.99 | $11.50 |
| 2000 August 25 | Maxtor 7200rpm | 40,000 | $349.99 | $10.10 |
| 2000 August 25 | Maxtor 7200rpm UDMA/66 | 30,000 | $249.99 | $9.58 |
| 2000 October 27 | Maxtor 7200rpm | 30,700 | $244.00 | $9.17 |
| 2000 October 27 | Maxtor 7200rpm | 40,900 | $318.00 | $8.93 |
| 2000 October 27 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 61,400 | $398.00 | $7.46 |
| 2000 October 27 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 81,900 | $518.00 | $7.30 |
| 2000 October 27 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 30,700 | $194.00 | $7.25 |
| 2000 October 27 | Maxtor 5400rpm | 40,900 | $254.00 | $7.14 |
| 2000 November 1 | Maxtor 7200rpm UDMA/66 | 30,000 | $7.87 | |
| 2000 December 13 | Samsung | 30,000 | $189.00 | $7.25 |
| 2000 December 20 | Maxtor Ultra ATA 66 5400 rpm | 80,000 | $479.99 | $6.90 |
| 2001 January 14 | 5400 rpm | 61,000 | $388.00 | $7.30 |
| 2001 January 14 | 5400 rpm | 82,000 | $518.00 | $7.25 |
| 2001 January 14 | 5400 rpm | 40,000 | $238.00 | $6.85 |
| 2001 April 25 | Quantum 7200 rpm | 40,000 | $260.00 | $7.46 |
| 2001 April 25 | Fujitsu 5400 rpm UDMA-100 | 30,000 | $169.00 | $6.49 |
| 2001 April 25 | Fujitsu 5400 rpm UDMA-100 | 40,000 | $199.00 | $5.71 |
| 2001 May 1 | 5400 rpm | 30,000 | $178.00 | $6.80 |
| 2001 May 1 | 5400 rpm | 82,000 | $468.00 | $6.58 |
| 2001 May 1 | 5400 rpm | 61,000 | $344.00 | $6.49 |
| 2001 May 1 | 5400 rpm | 40,000 | $204.00 | $5.85 |
| 2001 June 28 | Western Digital 7200 rpm EIDE | 40,000 | $219.99 | $6.33 |
| 2001 July 6 | Maxtor UATA 7200 rpm | 60,000 | $329.99 | $6.33 |
| 2001 July 20 | Western Digital 7200 rpm UATA | 80,000 | $5.75 | |
| 2001 August 31 | Western Digital 7200 rpm UATA | 60,000 | $4.41 | |
| 2001 November 30 | Western Digital 7200 rpm EIDE UATA-100 | 100,000 | $2.99 | |
| 2001 December 1 | Maxtor 5400 rpm IDE | 40,000 | $158.88 | $4.57 |
| 2002 March 8 | Western Digital 5400 rpm EIDE Ultra ATA-100 | 40,000 | $149.99 | $4.31 |
| 2002 July 27 | Maxtor 7200 rpm IDE | 40,000 | $128.88 | $3.70 |
| 2002 August 9 | Western Digital 7200 rpm EIDE Ultra ATA-100 | 100,000 | $229.99 | $2.65 |
| 2002 August 16 | Western Digital 7200 rpm Ultra ATA-100 | 60,000 | $149.99 | $2.87 |
| 2002 August 16 | Maxtor 7200 rpm EIDE Ultra ATA-133/100 | 80,000 | $259.99 | $3.73 |
| 2002 August 23 | Western Digital 5400 rpm EIDE Ultra ATA-100 | 40,000 | $89.99 | $2.59 |
| 2002 August 30 | Western Digital 7200 rpm EIDE Ultra ATA-100 | 100,000 | $179.99 | $2.07 |
| 2002 September 6 | Western Digital 7200 rpm | 120,000 | $269.99 | $2.59 |
| 2002 September 6 | Western Digital 7200 rpm EIDE | 40,000 | $99.99 | $2.87 |
| 2002 September 20 | Western Digital 5400 rpm EIDE Ultra ATA-100 | 40,000 | $89.99 | $2.59 |
| 2002 September 20 | Western Digital 7200 rpm Ultra ATA-100 | 60,000 | $139.99 | $2.68 |
| 2003 October 11 | Maxtor 7200 rpm IDE | 40,000 | $89.88 | $2.58 |
| 2003 October 11 | Maxtor 7200 rpm IDE | 120,000 | $158.00 | $1.52 |
| 2003 November 29 | Maxtor Serial ATA | 80,000 | $134.00 | $1.93 |
| 2003 November 29 | Western Digital SMB cache | 80,000 | $124.00 | $1.78 |
| 2003 November 29 | Maxtor Serial ATA | 120,000 | $168.00 | $1.61 |
| 2003 November 29 | Western Digital SMB cache | 120,000 | $158.00 | $1.52 |
| 2003 November 29 | Maxtor 7200 rpm IDE | 80,000 | $98.88 | $1.42 |
| 2003 November 29 | Maxtor 7200 rpm IDE | 120,000 | $144.88 | $1.39 |
| 2004 March 27 | Western Digital Caviar 7200rpm | 160,000 | $269.99 | $1.94 |
| 2004 March 27 | Cicero 7200rpm | 160,000 | $269.95 | $1.94 |
| 2004 March 27 | Western Digital 7200rpm | 250,000 | $369.99 | $1.70 |
| 2004 March 27 | Western Digital | 80,000 | $109.00 | $1.57 |
| 2004 March 27 | Maxtor 7200rpm IDE | 80,000 | $98.00 | $1.41 |
| 2004 March 27 | Western Digital | 120,000 | $144.00 | $1.38 |
| 2004 March 27 | Maxtor 7200rpm IDE | 120,000 | $129.00 | $1.24 |
| 2004 April 2 | Western Digital Caviar 7200rpm | 160,000 | $169.99 | $1.22 |
| 2004 April 16 | Western Digital Caviar SE 7200rpm | 250,000 | $249.99 | $1.15 |
| 2004 December 4 | Barracuda 7200RPM, Internal ATA/100 | 400,000 | $280.00 | $0.70 |
| 2004 December 9 | 250GB, 7200RPM, Internal ATA/133 | 250,000 | $180.00 | $0.72 |
| 2005 August 29 | 400GB, 7200RPM, Internal ATA/100 | 400,000 | $300.00 | $0.75 |
| 2005 August 29 | Ultra16 250GB, 7200RPM, Internal ATA/133 | 250,000 | $160.00 | $0.64 |
| 2005 December 12 | Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 250GB | 250,000 | $130.00 | $0.52 |
| 2005 December 12 | Seagate Barracuda 200GB | 200,000 | $140.00 | $0.70 |
| 2006 July 5 | Maxtor Ultra16 300GB | 300,000 | $150.00 | $0.50 |
| 2006 July 5 | Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 500GB | 500,000 | $300.00 | $0.60 |
| 2006 December 27 | Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB | 250,000 | $140.00 | $0.56 |
| 2006 December 27 | Samsung 80GB | 80,000 | $35.00 | $0.44 |
| 2007 June 24 | Seagate 250GB | 250,000 | $100.00 | $0.40 |
| 2007 June 24 | Seagate 160GB | 160,000 | $70.00 | $0.44 |
| 2008 January 13 | Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750GB | 750,000 | $200.00 | $0.27 |
| 2008 January 13 | Beyond Micro Monster Mobile 1TB | 1,000,000 | $270.00 | $0.27 |
| 2009 July 24 | HITACHI 0A38016 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s | 1,000,000 | $74.99 | $0.07 |
A large portion of this data was retrieved from Historical Notes about the Cost of Hard Drive Storage Space. Data from 2004-present was retrieved using the archive.org Wayback Machine.
