@AK3D: That's for a 250GB/platter 1TB drive they reviewed. You'd claw a bit back from the fact the design is a 2-platter design, and the better density of the platter itself.

The fact is that the GP drive is

1. Cooler
2. Quieter
3. Slower
4. Cheaper

It's a question of personal priorities and what you're willing to live with.

I'm not sure the performance difference is noticeable, but it may give some the satisfaction of just having the faster car.

On the other hand you may be happy that you saved the money and are a little 'greener' and easier on the environment.

I notice no difference between the 750GB three-platter and 640GB 2-platter drives, and I'm not a benchmarking nut. I doubt the AACS will feel slower than the AAKS, even though in benchmarks it may show up as a slower drive. On the other hand, the Caviar drives are quiet enough as it is, and not half as hot as the 7200 series. I just wish WD had a better reliability record. I don't care about disks as much as the data.