Toshiba MG10AFA22TE 22TB Enterprise SATA Hard Drive: specs and fit

The Toshiba MG10AFA22TE is a 22TB internal hard drive in the 3.5-inch format, from Toshiba's MG enterprise series. Toshiba describes it for servers, storage systems, hyperscale and cloud use, and for 24/7 operation. At this capacity, one drive can hold datasets, media archives and backups that once needed several smaller drives.

Capacity and why it matters

Twenty-two terabytes is among the larger sizes available for a single drive. Fewer, larger drives can mean fewer bays in use, fewer cables and a smaller power footprint for the same total storage. The trade-off is that a single drive holds more data at risk if it fails, so large drives are usually used in RAID or other redundant setups with backups. Rebuilding a very large drive in an array can also take a long time.

Interface and speed

The drive uses a SATA 6Gbit/s interface and spins at 7,200 RPM. SATA 6Gb/s is the common connection on desktops, NAS units and many servers, which makes this drive easy to fit into existing hardware. The 7,200 RPM spin speed is typical for performance-oriented drives, offering lower latency than slower 5,400 RPM models. As with all hard drives, random access is much slower than on solid-state drives; the strength here is capacity for large, sequential files. The listing doesn't give transfer rates or cache size, so check Toshiba's datasheet.

Enterprise design

The listing describes enterprise-grade performance with consistent speed under heavy workloads, "advanced technologies" to help protect data against corruption and loss, and optimised power management for lower power draw. It does not give measured figures for reliability or power, so use Toshiba's datasheet for specifications such as workload limits. The reseller-style description also lists 512e, which means the drive uses 4K physical sectors while presenting 512-byte logical sectors to the system for compatibility with older software.

Form factor

The 3.5-inch size fits standard desktop and server bays, and Toshiba says it is made for easy integration into existing systems. The listing gives the weight as 1.6 lb (about 0.73 kg). The dimensions shown (11.8 inches on each side) appear to be packaging, so don't use them for planning bay fit. A 3.5-inch drive's standard dimensions are the guide.

Who it suits

It suits home-lab owners, NAS builders, small businesses and data centres that need large, always-on storage for archives, backups, video libraries or object storage, provided the system supports the drive's size and interface.

What to check before you buy

• System support: some older controllers, NAS units and operating systems have limits on large drives; check yours.
• Bay and connectors: you need a 3.5-inch bay with a SATA data and power connection.
• RAID plan: decide how you'll protect the data and keep backups.
• Compatibility lists: NAS and server makers often publish lists of supported drives.
• Noise, heat and airflow: 7,200 RPM drives run warmer and louder than slower ones.
• Warranty: check the terms for your region.

The short version

• A 22TB 3.5-inch enterprise hard drive, model MG10AFA22TE, from Toshiba's MG series.
• SATA 6Gbit/s interface and 7,200 RPM spin speed.
• Described for servers, storage and 24/7 operation, with 512e formatting.
• Best used with a backup plan and a controller that supports large drives.

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