by 3 reviews.
MDD MAXDIGITALDATA 2TB SAS Hard Drive Review: A Reliable Enterprise Storage Solution?
When it comes to enterprise-level storage, reliability and performance are non-negotiable. The MDD MAXDIGITALDATA 2TB 7200RPM SAS 6Gb/s 3.5-inch Internal Enterprise Hard Drive (MD2TSAS12872E) promises to deliver both, making it a compelling choice for businesses with demanding data storage needs. With a 2TB capacity, 7200 RPM speed, and 128MB cache, this drive is designed for servers, data centers, and RAID systems. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details based on customer feedback and my own experience.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Performance and Speed
One of the standout features of this drive is its 7200 RPM speed combined with a 128MB cache, which ensures fast data access and transfer rates. Customers have praised its ability to handle heavy workloads without lag, making it ideal for enterprise environments. The SAS 6Gb/s interface also provides a significant performance boost compared to SATA drives, though it requires a compatible SAS controller.
Customer Feedback:
- "The drive works flawlessly in my RAID setup. Data transfer speeds are impressive, and it handles large files with ease."
- "Perfect for my server environment. The 7200 RPM speed makes a noticeable difference in performance."
However, some users noted that the drive’s performance can be affected if the system lacks a proper SAS controller or if the drive isn’t formatted correctly upon installation.
Reliability and Durability
The MDD MAXDIGITALDATA 2TB SAS drive is marketed as an enterprise-grade solution, built for 24/7 operation. With a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 2.0 million hours and an Annualized Failure Rate (AFR) of 0.44%, it’s designed to withstand the rigors of continuous use.
Customer Feedback:
- "I’ve been using these drives in my data center for months, and they’ve been rock-solid. No failures or errors so far."
- "The drives arrived well-packaged and worked perfectly out of the box. No issues with SMART data or errors."
That said, one customer reported an unusual incident where 4 drives stopped responding, possibly due to a power short. Fortunately, the customer service team was quick to respond, replacing the drives without hassle. This highlights the importance of proper power management and the company’s commitment to customer support.
Customer Support and Warranty
Speaking of customer support, MDD MAXDIGITALDATA offers a 5-year warranty on this drive, which is a significant advantage for businesses looking for long-term reliability. The aforementioned customer who experienced drive failures praised the company’s prompt replacement service, stating, "They sent 4 replacements quickly, and the process was hassle-free."
Customer Feedback:
- "The 5-year warranty gives me peace of mind. I hope the same level of service continues throughout the warranty period."
- "Support was responsive and helpful when I had an issue. They replaced the drives without any questions."
However, some users expressed concerns about the warranty’s effectiveness over time, especially if the company’s policies or support quality change.
Energy Efficiency and Compatibility
The drive’s energy efficiency is another selling point, with a claimed 21% improvement in IOPS/watt. This makes it an eco-friendly choice for data centers looking to reduce power consumption. Additionally, its compatibility with RAID systems, NAS network storage, and server environments makes it versatile for various enterprise applications.
Customer Feedback:
- "I’ve noticed a slight reduction in power consumption since switching to these drives. Every bit helps in a data center."
- "Works perfectly in my RAID 10 setup. No compatibility issues so far."
On the flip side, the drive’s SAS interface can be a limitation for users without a SAS controller. It’s crucial to ensure your system supports SAS before purchasing this drive.
Packaging and Setup
The drive comes as a bare drive, meaning it doesn’t include screws, cables, or accessories. While this is standard for enterprise drives, some users found it inconvenient, especially if they were new to SAS drives.
Customer Feedback:
- "The packaging was secure, and the drive arrived in perfect condition. Just make sure you have the right cables and screws."
- "No issues with setup, but I had to purchase additional accessories separately."
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
The MDD MAXDIGITALDATA 2TB SAS Hard Drive is a solid choice for businesses seeking a high-performance, reliable storage solution. Its 7200 RPM speed, 128MB cache, and SAS 6Gb/s interface make it ideal for data-intensive environments, while its enterprise-grade durability ensures it can handle continuous operation. The 5-year warranty and responsive customer support add further value, though the warranty’s long-term reliability remains to be seen.
However, the drive’s SAS interface may limit its appeal to users without a compatible controller, and the lack of included accessories could be a minor inconvenience. Additionally, while most users reported positive experiences, the occasional hardware failure (as noted in one review) underscores the importance of proper power management and system compatibility.
Final Verdict: If you’re running a server or data center and need a dependable, high-performance storage solution, the MDD MAXDIGITALDATA 2TB SAS Hard Drive is a strong contender. Just ensure your system is SAS-ready, and you’ll likely be satisfied with its performance and reliability.
The drives worked as expected out of the box, they came well packaged and had no errors on them. Something odd happened, possibly power short but 4 drives stopped responding. Contacted support and sent the drives back and they sent 4 replacements. Hopefully this same service remains for the 5 years they claimed.