The Long-Term Case for HDD Storage

HDD Storage

In a world flooded with data—set to surge from 132 zettabytes in 2023 to nearly 394 zettabytes by 2028—choosing the right storage infrastructure has never been more critical . This in‑depth white paper examines why hard disk drives (HDDs) continue to offer unmatched total cost of ownership (TCO) in data centers—from favorable $/TB economics to energy and space efficiency—even as SSDs dominate the performance tier. You’ll discover how HDD and SSD cost curves have tracked closely over time, why HDD innovations like HAMR and OptiNAND are extending their relevance, and what future scenarios could shift the landscape.