Western Digital 160GB shows 150GB when formatted ?

[auto]

I just wanted to confirm that this is true. I've created two partitions in XP Pro SP2 and have 20gb and 129gb as useable space. I've read in google that this is the case.. where did my 10 gb go ? I know..
physically the drive has 160 gb space.. but come'on why just not advertise 150gb instead.. that's what the consumer is after for anyway.. what is useable to them..
thanks

 

[MustISO]

because 160GB sounds better than 150. It's just the way it's calculated.

 

[DaveSimmons]

160 * 10^9 vs. 160 * 2^30.

The fine print in a million ads has explained this, but they count on you not reading the fine print.

 

[Insane3D]

The larger a drive you buy, the more space you "lose" due to the differences in how the manufacturers and Microsoft calculate what a Gigabyte is.

 

[chilled]

Mutlipl the drive's capacity by 0.93 to get a pretty good idea of the HD size after formatting.

 

[auto]

thanks all for the replies. i'm more sane now.