Table of Contents
Our computers work incredibly hard. They are running practically all day and the amount of data they need to handle is massive. We may only think of a file that is open or a movie running, but it goes a lot deeper than that. A hard drive that starts to underperform is a common problem.
We have two solutions that can expand the capacity of your PC storage and increase performance. We are going to compare the Toshiba P300 vs WD Black. Once we have looked at their specifications, there will a comparison chart to quickly review the two internal hard drives followed by some pros and cons.
There are a few similarities between the Toshiba P300 and the WD Black, so let’s start here.
Toshiba P300 vs WD Black – Similarities
Hard Drive Type
The Toshiba P300 and the WD Black are SATA 6 Gb/s internal hard drives with a 3.5-inch form format. This means they are compatible with any device with an available 3.5-inch bay.
Ideal Uses
You can use the Toshiba P300 and the WD Black for digital art, photo and video editing and gaming. There are perfect for professionals and non-professionals.
The Cache
A hard drive cache is like a temporary storage area as the hard drive is writing. The larger the cache, the smoother your PC will run. The Toshiba P300 and the WD Black 2TB hard drives have a 64MB cache, with is fairly standard. The larger WD Black hard drives have a larger cache of up to 256MB.
RPM
The RPM of a hard drive tells you how many revolutions are made in a minute. The higher the number, the faster you can access data. The Toshiba P300 and the WD Black have an RPM speed of 7200.
Shock Sensors
The Toshiba P300 and the WD Black both come with shock sensors. These shock sensors help to protect data in case of any impacts or knocks.
Advanced Format
Being Advanced Format, the Toshiba P300 and the WD Black stores data on magnetic disks in the hard drive. This way, larger sectors of data enable the data to be maintained by stronger error correction algorithms.
Side by Side Comparison
The comparison chart below shows the features side by side.
Toshiba P300 | WD Black | |
| Image |  |  |
| Size | 1.3 x 5.8 x 4 inches | 1.03 x 5.79 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 1.49lbs | 1.32bs |
| Storage Capacity | 2TB | 2TB |
| Other Storage Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 3TB | 500GB, 1TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TB, 6TB, 8TB, 10TB |
| Ideal Uses | Professional and non-professional digital artists, photographers, video editors, gamers | Professional and non-professional digital artists, photographers, video editors, gamers |
| Form Factor | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches |
| Advanced Format | Yes | Yes |
| Shock Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | SATA 6 Gb/s | SATA 6 Gb/s |
| Data Transfer Rate | 6Gb/s, Read speed 150Mb/s | 6 Gb/s buffer to host, 164Mb/s host to/from driver |
| Cache | 64MB | 64MB |
| RPM | 7200 | 7200 |
| Load/unload Cycles | Not Stated | 300,000 |
| Warranty | 2 years limited | 5 years limited |
| Price |
Next, we will turn our attention to what makes the Toshiba P300 and the WD Black different.
Read next – Toshiba P300 vs WD Blue: Which Hard Drives are Better?
Differences Between Toshiba P300 and WD Black
Appearance
It’s not really a feature that will help our buying decision but nevertheless, it’s a feature. The larger sizes are a fraction larger and just a little bit heavier, but it doesn’t change the compatibility of the hard drives. We are still looking at the 2TB.
Toshiba P300
The dimensions are 1.3 x 5.8 x 4 inches, and it weighs 1.49 pounds. It is red and white.
WD Black
This black internal hard drive is 1.03 x 5.79 x 4 inches and weighs 1.32 pounds.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – Best Hard Drives for Xbox 360
Other Storage Capacities
2TB might be too much for some and not enough for others. One brand has a huge range of hard drives to suit everyone.
Toshiba P300
You will find the Toshiba P300 in 500GB, 1TB and 3TB.
WD Black
There are 8 options aside from the 2TB. You can 500GB, 1TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TB, 6TB, 8TB, and 10TB.
The Winner Is- The WD Black
Read next – Seagate Firecuda vs WD Black: Which Gaming Hard Drives are Better?
Data Transfer Speeds
As SATA 6 Gb/s, you can expect transfer speeds of up to 6 Gb/s. However, we have a little more information on both.
Toshiba P300
Read speeds with this internal hard drive are up to 150 Mb/s.
WD Black
Transfer speeds between the host and the driver are 164 Gb/s.
The Winner Is- The WD Black
Read next – WD Blue vs WD Black: Which Hard Drives are Better?
Load/Unload Cycles
The load/unload cycle are the spins of the spindle which rotate the disk preparing the hard drive for reading and writing data.
Toshiba P300
There is no product information about the load/unload cycles.
WD Black
The load/unload cycle is 300,000.
The Winner Is- The WD Black
Read next – Toshiba X300 vs WD Black: Which Internal Hard Drive is Better?
Value for Money
We considered the price and the warranty when looking at value for money. The price range for a 2TB internal hard drive can range from $50 to $150.
Toshiba P300
Currently, this is the more expensive hard drive with a 2-year limited warranty.
WD Black
Not only is only cheaper (sitting in the middle of the price range) but it also comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
The Winner Is- The WD Black
Pros and Cons
Before our final verdict, we have some pros and cons of the Toshiba P300 and the WD Black.
Toshiba P300
Pros:
- The transfer speeds are impressive, even with large files
- It’s relatively quiet
- Will work with NAS
Cons:
- The quality control and durability are questionable
WD Black
Pros:
- The setup is simple
- It is far more reliable
- Transfer speeds often excel product information
Cons:
- The SATA cable could be better
The Final Verdict
Toshiba has done well to create a product that adds a good amount of storage to your PC and allows for fast data transfer. That being said, with the shorter warranty and the reduced liability, we didn’t feel it was worth the risk. The WD Black has it all, speed, ease of use, and value for money. The transfer speeds were excellent and the range of storage options means there is an internal hard drive for everyone. For these reasons, the WD Black is today’s overall winner.