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This has puzzled me for years. Now I'm finally asking about it.

In "modern times", surely there have only been two physical HDD sizes: 2.5" ("laptop disks") and 3.5" (big fat ones of the same dimensions as the old ones where we used IDE cables instead of SATA)?

BUT I have two different 3.5" HDDs which have different heights!

Both are modern enough to use SATA, so it's not a difference between the "classic" old ones and the more modern ones.

I spent significant time searching but these are the best photos I could find, which don't really show the difference. However, I assure you that I have held the two disks in my hands just minutes ago and compared them side by side. One of them definitely has a different height, and I mean a significant difference.

The exact models are:

I've searched all over for info but cannot find any mention of different-heighted 3.5" disks.

Wouldn't changing the size mess with all the existing setups which assume certain dimensions?

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    Cost of production vs number of platters come in to play. As mounting holes on rear and bottom of sides, the height is not very important in fitting drives.
    – davidgo
    Commented Oct 6, 2022 at 19:34
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    2.5" drives come in different heights as well. As long as the screwholes fit the standard mounts, it doesnt matter.
    – Keltari
    Commented Oct 6, 2022 at 19:38
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    @Keltari there are even 2.5" drives that are larger than the standards and come with a warning that it will not fit in every device. Luckily this is not the case for 3.5" drives, but there's no reason that will never happen if we reach a capacity where that is necessary to advance.
    – LPChip
    Commented Oct 6, 2022 at 20:07
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    Also, it might be that server enterprise disks might be smaller in height in order to fit a mounting mechanism for specific servers.
    – LPChip
    Commented Oct 6, 2022 at 20:09

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As long as it fits the same standard slots is it the height relevant?

No, definitely not.

Isn't it possible for different manufacturers to come up with different solutions for the actual hardware inside (platters, assembly, etc.) to have different dimensions or density while still SATA complaint?

Yes, definitely, we've seen many different ones already and some designed for specific applications.

Why is this even a question?

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