The IDE interface , which recently demonstrated a surprising market vitality, began to be inferior to Serial ATA even in optical disks segment . Now it is possible to purchase DVD- drive with serial ATA interface with similar price and close characteristics to the drive with IDE interface . In hard disks segment , the newest models are equipped only with serial ATA interface . Intel chipset do not support IDE already for a long time, and motherboard producers were forced to realize its support using additional controllers.
As reports associate with the reference to seagate partners , this company intends to end the deliveries of hard disks with IDE interface in the end of the present year.
Do not forget, that Seagate recently purchased maxtor company , which produce hard disk models with IDE interface and volume up to 320 Gb . Seagate barracuda 7200.10 contains hard disk models with the IDE interface and volume up to 750 Gb. It is completely possible that in budget market sector , where Seagate placed Maxtor production , The IDE support will be prolonged for larger period.
Seagate Competitors do not intend to remove hard disk model with IDE interface . Demand for similar solutions exists. However, seagate steps , witch is the most important player on this market segment, cannot show influence on the hole industry . Sooner or later IDE support will be removed by other hard disks producers .