MQ04ABF100 Toshiba 1TB/1000GB 5400rpm Sata 7mm 2.5" Hard Drive 128mb, 6 Gbit/s.
Bottom line: The MQ04ABF100 Toshiba 1TB/1000GB 5400rpm Sata 7mm 2.5" Hard Drive 128mb: Full 1TB capacity in a 7mm z-height that fits ultra-thin laptop bays; main trade-off: 5400 RPM spindle is far slower than any SATA SSD for boot or app loads.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Full 1TB capacity in a 7mm z-height that fits ultra-thin laptop bays
- ✓ 128MB cache buffer, double the 64MB typical of budget 2.5-inch drives
- ✓ Shock sensors in the MQ04AB series guard against excessive shock events
- ✓ SATA 6 Gbit/s interface works with modern and legacy SATA controllers
Cons
- ✗ 5400 RPM spindle is far slower than any SATA SSD for boot or app loads
- ✗ 7mm body needs a spacer or shim in bays designed for 9.5mm drives
- ✗ Mechanical platters remain vulnerable to drops despite shock sensing
- ✗ Not a bootable performance upgrade; best paired with an SSD for the OS
Manufacturer description
The Toshiba MQ04ABF100 is a 1TB 2.5-inch SATA hard drive built for the thin-chassis machines that never had room for a standard 9.5mm disk. At 7mm thick with a 5400 RPM spindle and a 128MB cache buffer, it slots into ultra-portable laptops, notebook PCs, and slim-line all-in-one desktops where vertical clearance is the constraint rather than raw throughput. The SATA 6 Gbit/s interface keeps it compatible with modern controllers while remaining backward-friendly for older builds, making it a practical bulk-storage companion alongside a smaller boot SSD or a straight capacity upgrade for a…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored MQ04ABF100 Toshiba 1TB/1000GB 5400rpm Sata 7mm 2.5" Hard Drive 128mb using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the drives & media category. TOSHIBA's drives & media lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for drives & media of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this Toshiba drive fit my laptop?
It is a standard 2.5-inch SATA drive at 7mm thickness, so it fits 7mm bays directly and 9.5mm bays with a spacer. Toshiba positions the MQ04AB series for ultra-portable laptops, notebooks, and slim-line all-in-one desktops.
How fast is a 5400 RPM drive compared to an SSD?
Noticeably slower for boot and application loads. The MQ04ABF100 spins at 5400 RPM with a 128MB cache over a 6 Gbit/s SATA link, which suits bulk storage, media libraries, and backups rather than running an operating system.
Is 1TB the real usable capacity?
Toshiba rates the drive at 1TB / 1000GB. As with all drives, your operating system reports decimal capacity in binary units, so expect roughly 931GB usable after formatting.
Is this drive quiet enough for a living-room PC?
Toshiba specifically cites the MQ04AB series' quiet operation as a fit for laptops, slim-line desktops, and high-end multimedia devices where low power and acoustics matter more than peak speed.
What warranty does the MQ04ABF100 carry?
Warranty terms are not listed in the product details here and vary by seller and region. Check the current Amazon listing and Toshiba's support page for the applicable coverage before you buy.
Key Features
- Brand: Toshiba
- Model: MQ04ABF100
- 2.5“ 1TB / 1000GB Sata Internal hard drive, 5400 Rpm, 128MB, 7mm thickness, 6 Gbit/s.
- It is suitable for ultra-portable laptop and notebook PCs, as well as for use in slim-line “all-in-one” desktop PCs. Other uses include high-end multimedia devices where low-power and mobile-class robustness helps to achieve platform design requirements.
- The MQ04AB series leverage shock sensors to protect the drive from excessive shock events. The MQ04AB Series' quiet operation makes it an excellent storage solution for laptops, slim-line desktops, and applications where capacity, power-profile, and reliability are critical.
Full Specifications
| Brand | TOSHIBA |
|---|---|
| Color | multi |
| Model | MQ04ABF100 |
| Model Name | MQ04ABF100 |
| Read Speed | 600 megabytes_per_second |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | 100 MB/s |
| Model Number | MQ04ABF100 |
| Built-In Media | Hard Drive |
| Hard-Drive Size | 1 TB |
| Mfr Part Number | MQ04ABF100 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Data Recovery Service |
| Hardware Platform | PC, laptop |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 6000 gigabits_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Aluminium, Steel, Magnetic Material |
| Additional Features | Data Recovery Service |
Ready to buy?
MQ04ABF100 Toshiba 1TB/1000GB 5400rpm Sata 7mm 2.5" Hard Drive 128mb, 6 Gbit/s. is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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