WD has commenced volume shipments of its WD Scorpio Blue 2.5-inch notebook hard drives with capacities up to 500 GB.

Utilizing 250 GB-per-platter technology, the new WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB and 400 GB SATA hard drives are designed for notebook computers and portable storage devices.

WD Scorpio Blue delivers a 3 Gb/s transfer rate, while including proprietary features that make the drive quiet, while running at cool operating temperatures. The WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB is the highest capacity 2.5-inch, standard form-factor (9.5mm) hard drive shipping-to-date, and is developed for use in OEM notebook platforms that offer the highest storage capacities to the market.

The new WD Scorpio Blue drives further expand the company's range of 2.5-inch, 5400 RPM, mobile hard drive offerings to capacity points up to 500 GB.

WD's "WhisperDrive" technology combines seeking algorithms to yield WD Scorpio Blue hard drives as one of the quietest 5400 RPM, 2.5-inch drives available.

ShockGuard technology combines firmware and hardware advancements to protect the drive mechanics and platter surface to meet the highest combined shock tolerance specifications required for mobile and notebook applications.

Another unique WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB feature is its IntelliSeek technology, which calculates optimum seek speeds to lower power consumption, noise and vibration.

WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB (model WD5000BEVT) and the 400 GB (model WD4000BEVT) hard drives are shipping at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the WD Scorpio Blue 500 GB is $219.99 USD and the 400 GB is $189.99 USD.Both drives are covered by a three-year limited warranty.