HAMR has been a long time coming. Seagate first began experimenting with the technology in 2007, frequently predicting its release within a few years. However, these timelines were repeatedly delayed.

Seagate said the Exos M hard drives, developed using Mozaic 3+, initially debuted in limited quantities to select customers. With mass production now underway, the drives are poised for general release.

Seagate has quietly published a product page for its Exos M series, which features two models: a 32TB version using shingled magnetic recording (SMR) and a 30TB version employing conventional magnetic recording (CMR). Despite some discrepancies in naming—whether the drives are called Exos M or Exos M 3+—the company has confirmed the launch.

A key feature of the Exos M drives is their compatibility with existing computer systems, which eliminates the need for additional hardware upgrades. This ensures a smoother transition for businesses and individuals looking to adopt the new HAMR-based storage technology.

Seagate’s chief rival, Western Digital, entered the high-capacity HDD market in October with its energy-assisted perpendicular magnetic recording (ePMR) drives, including a 32TB model. While Seagate technically introduced its HAMR drives first, Western Digital appears to have achieved a general release sooner.

Industry experts suggest that Seagate may have a competitive advantage for future developments thanks to HAMR technology, which offers scalability and potential for even greater storage capacities.