Arthropod enthusiast Western Digital has just announced that it has started shipping some new, high-capacity 2.5-inch Scorpio Blue hard drives. Boasting 400 and 500GB worth of storage space, the standard-sized drives make use of 250GB platters, work at 5400 RPM and feature SATA 3.0 Gbps interfaces and 8MB of buffer memory.

"WD continues to provide the mobile market with high-capacity storage everywhere consumers and business professionals travel," said Jim Morris, WD's vice president and general manager of notebook storage. "Notebook system manufacturers continue to improve performance, while adding data-hungry features. The WD Scorpio Blue 400 GB and 500 GB hard drives provide the capacity needed to maximize the latest features and functions available in today's notebook computers, while relying on WD's exceptional reliability."

The 400 and 500GB Scorpio Blue hard drives have recommended retail prices of $189.99 and $219.99 respectively.