Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the seek/settle performance of a storage device. The present invention measures the seek/settle performance for each individual head and selects the heads with the best seek/settle performance, i.e., access performance. The invention includes a processor for calculating velocity deviations for each of the plurality of heads to determine a set of suitable seek heads from the plurality of heads, a head selection circuit for switching from a current head to a preferred head from the set of suitable seek heads and an actuator controller for seeking with the preferred head to a virtual track corresponding to a target track. The processor calculates a preferred/target runout difference for smoothing the settle of the preferred head and the head selection circuit switches from the preferred head to a target head aligned with the target track.