My
hard drive price tracking script has now been taking regular samples for over a year. Here is a look at the three most interesting drives: 500 GB, 750 GB and 1000 GB.
Last year at this time I picked up a 500 GB drive for $105 ($0.21/gig). That same drive now goes for around $80 ($0.16/gig). 750 GB drives were around $255 ($0.34/gig) and dropped more then $135 (53%). Then late this month, 750 GB drives overtook 500 GB drives for best price per gigabyte. The price of a a full terabyte is harder to track because the listings included both the terabyte drives as well as 2x 500 GB drives in an enclosure. Prices of terabyte drives fluctuate fairly wild for awhile, before starting to calm down. But the price drop is fairly dramatic: More then a $220 price drop (>51%) in a year. The x-mass season stalled the price drop from around the middle of October to about February. In fact, 500 GB drives had periods of increased price during this time.
The drive price trending has been interesting so far and we'll see what the next year brings.