Western Digital has launched a new range of high-capacity storage solutions aimed at meeting the rising data demands of creative professionals, businesses, and network-attached storage (NAS) users. With advancements in AI, video production, virtual reality, and digital media continuing to drive massive data growth, the company is introducing enhancements across its Professional and WD Red product lines, featuring up to 26TB of storage per device.
New 26TB drives target creative workflows
At the core of the update is a suite of storage solutions under the G-DRIVE, G-RAID, and G-RAID SHUTTLE lines, equipped with enterprise-grade Ultrastar 7200 RPM hard drives. These products are designed to deliver high-speed performance, flexible RAID configurations, and greater reliability for intensive production workflows.
The flagship G-RAID SHUTTLE 8 offers 208TB of total capacity in a transportable, eight-bay RAID configuration, priced at US$8,199.99. Capable of delivering up to 1700MB/s read and 1500MB/s write speeds in RAID 5, it is intended for professionals handling large-scale video and media files. The smaller G-RAID SHUTTLE 4, priced at US$4,499.99, provides 104TB in a four-bay setup, also preconfigured for RAID 5 with support for multi-stream 4K, 8K, and VR workflows.
Meanwhile, the two-bay 52TB G-RAID PROJECT 2 (US$1,699.99) is built for high-speed scenarios, offering Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C connectivity. It is pre-set in RAID 0 and targets users who require fast data transfers. The G-DRIVE PROJECT model, now available with 26TB (US$999.99), includes a slot for SanDisk’s PRO-BLADE SSD Mag, enabling a modular workflow for rapid file sharing and editing across multiple devices.
For professionals looking for a more straightforward backup solution, the standard 26TB G-DRIVE (US$649.99) offers reliable performance with read and write speeds of up to 260MB/s and 270MB/s respectively. Housed in an anodised aluminium enclosure, it also supports stacking and mounting for mobile production setups.
Expanded NAS capabilities with WD Red Pro
In addition to creative workflows, Western Digital is also strengthening its NAS-focused offerings with the introduction of the 26TB WD Red Pro HDD. Designed for multi-bay NAS systems and high-intensity workloads, the drive is rated for up to 550TB per year and boasts a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 2.5 million hours. With an MSRP of US$569.99, it is engineered for 24/7 performance and reliability in enterprise and multi-user environments.
The 26TB WD Red Pro includes OptiNAND technology, which helps optimise performance and data management, particularly in RAID configurations. This makes it suitable not only for businesses managing large-scale storage but also for creative teams needing dependable, high-capacity solutions that can scale as projects grow.
A commitment to future-ready storage
“With the introduction of our expanded 26TB-based Professional lineup and WD Red Pro HDDs, we’re offering the capacity and reliability that today’s consumers and businesses need to stay ahead in an increasingly data-driven world,” said Nitin Kachhwaha, director of product management at Western Digital. “These solutions represent our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative storage solutions that empower creativity and drive digital transformation.”
Western Digital’s storage technologies are used across cloud services, enterprise data centres, and creative industries. The company also highlights its long-term mission to develop solutions that not only meet performance and scalability needs but also contribute to climate-conscious computing.
