2005 Storage Visions Conference to Recognize 2 Billionth Hard Disk Drive Shipped; 2004 Post-Conference Book Now Available for Sale.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

2005 Storage Visions Conference

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2004

According to data from Coughlin Associates, Peripheral Research Corporation and Disk/Trend, 2004 will be the year that the cumulative total disk drives shipped by the hard disk drive industry exceed 2 billion units. In addition, cumulative total magnetic head production will exceed 9 billion units and disk media production will approach 5 billion units shipped through 2004. These analysts in combination with Computer Technology Review will recognize existing hard disk drive and major component vendors for this industry achievement at the 2005 Storage Visions(SM) Conference that will occur in January 2005 just prior to the 2005 CES conference.

According to industry historian Jim Porter of Disk/Trend, "The disk drive industry grew to a peak of approximately 75 companies in the mid-1980's and today consists of less than 10 drive manufacturers. During the early years, the total industry production was only a few thousand disk drives per year compared with today's yearly volume of over 250 million units." In addition to increased product shipments the disk drive industry has increased the storage capability of magnetic disks significantly over the years.

Several disk drive companies responded to this announcement:

"Seagate is looking forward to celebrating the shipment of the industry's 2 billionth hard drive. Since Seagate was founded in 1979 as the first company to build 5.25-inch hard disc drives specifically for the PC, the entire computing landscape has changed dramatically and evolved to a point today where computing and digital information have become part of our everyday lives," said Bill Watkins, Seagate president and COO. "Hard drives have made it possible to quickly and easily store and access data like never before, giving people access to unprecedented amounts of information and entertainment stored on broadcast servers and Internet servers, networked PCs and notebook PCs, TVs and pocket music players."

"Maxtor is proud to be a major contributor to this historical industry mark," said Mike Cordano, executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Maxtor. "In an increasingly digital world, where storage and superior hard disk drive technology are critical requirements, Maxtor will continue to identify new and emerging markets and deliver quality products. We look forward to celebrating this milestone and other industry achievements at the 2005 Storage Visions conference."

With a three year history the Storage Visions Conference addresses critical technology and market issues for the implementation of a completely digital entertainment industry. Speakers at the conference come from key companies participating in the creation of digital multimedia content -- its distribution, archiving and reception.

According to Mark Ferrelli, Editor in Chief of Computer Technology Review, "Storage Visions is a well-presented, well-attended event, the conference of choice to learn about storage in entertainment and consumer electronics. The 2004 conference was outstanding. And the plans for next year, centering on the shipment of disk drives reaching 2 billion units, should draw an even healthier attendance."

David Wu, President of GS-Magicstore stated, "The Storage Visions Conference of key industry decision makers and analysts provided us an unique forum to showcase the HDD Industrial Center in Guizhou China and to announce our company's year 2003 successes."

People wishing to receive information on the 2005 conference or companies wishing to participate as sponsors and exhibitors at the 2005 conference should fill out the appropriate forms available on the conference web site: www.storagevisions.com. Interested parties can also call Storage Visions (Tom Coughlin) at 408-978-8184.

The 2004 Storage Visions post conference book (on CD) including all the available presentations at the Storage Visions Conference is also available for purchase through the Storage Visions web site. Log onto www.storagevisions.com to order your copy.