Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a magnetic disk drive having improved vibration characteristics and a reduced size. In one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive comprises: a motor shaft for rotating a magnetic disk; a sleeve for rotatably supporting the motor shaft; and a motor hub into which the motor shaft is press fit. The motor hub supports the magnetic disk and includes a projection portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is in contact with the press-fit motor shaft in directions perpendicular to the rotational axis of the motor shaft. The outer surface faces the sleeve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to improve the cost, mountability, and reliability of a magnetic disk drive that regulates a fly height of a magnetic head slider correspondingly to the operating altitude of the drive by using an air pressure sensor and a heater. According to one embodiment, a preamplifier is a semiconductor chip formed by three-dimensionally laminating thin film circuits on a bulk silicon wafer. An air pressure sensor is integrally formed on the semiconductor chip through a semiconductor process. The air pressure sensor is configured to include an isolating cavity, a diaphragm that deflecting in response to a change in a pressure difference between the isolating cavity and the outside, and lower and upper electrodes and for detecting variation in electrostatic capacitance. The preamplifier including the air pressure sensor integrally formed therein is attached to a flexible printed cable (FPC) to oppose the FPC.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a data recording device that allows swift data access even under the state that data access is difficult, and a control method for the device. According to one embodiment, when receiving a data reading command from an external host in the state that a reading-difficult state is being detected, a Microprocessing Unit/Hard Disk Controller (MPU/HDC) of a magnetic disk device reads data related to the reading command from a magnetic disk for transmission to an external host and recording into a memory. Thereafter, when receiving another reading command from the external host for the same data, the data is read from the memory for transmission to the external host.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a free layer having higher saturation field capability and optimum sensitivity (dr/R) is disclosed. The present invention provides a synthetic free layer that includes a first and second free layer, wherein the second free layer is a cobalt alloy that provides higher saturation and optimum sensitivity.

Abstract: A slider 3a is disposed to face a disk-like recording medium and enabled to support a read/write head. The slider 3a has an air bearing surface formed between a leading edge 10 and a trailing edge 11; side rails 20 and 21 formed on the air bearing surface almost like a U-letter so as to dispose its tip at the trailing edge side 11; a cross rail 22; and a pair of landing pads 30a and 31a formed between the tip of each of the side rails and the cross rail 20 to 22 and the trailing edge 11. One of the pair of landing pads 30a and 31a is formed as a convex surface at its side facing the rail of the landing pad 31a disposed at the outer periphery side of the disk-like recording medium while the slider is disposed so as to face the disk-like recording medium.