Buffalo Japan is offering a see-through hard disk drive to commemorate its 50th anniversary

Buffalo Japan's 50th anniversary: $696 transparent hard drive, 50 units, lottery for Japan-only buyers.

: Buffalo Japan marks its 50th anniversary with a special release: a transparent 4TB hard disk dubbed the Skeleton Hard Disk, priced at 100,000 yen or about $696. Known for its novelty rather than cutting-edge specs, the drive uses USB 3.2 (Gen 1) and includes a Windows-exclusive app, SeekWizard, for demonstration effects. Only 50 units are produced, and these are offered through a lottery exclusive to Japanese customers. Expect to receive this uniquely designed collector's item in June if you win the draw.

Buffalo Japan is celebrating its 50th anniversary by launching a limited-edition see-through hard disk drive called the HD-SKL “Skeleton Hard Disk.” This unique external HDD features a transparent window that lets users watch the spinning disk and moving read/write head in real time. Only 50 units will be made, each priced at ¥100,000 (around $695), and available through a lottery system exclusive to Japan from May 1 to May 25, 2025.

The drive offers 4TB of storage, connects via USB 3.2 Gen 1 Micro-B, and comes pre-formatted with the exFAT file system, ensuring cross-platform support for both Windows and macOS. Its chassis features a premium anodized aluminum design in black and gold, a visual tribute to the company’s 1978 Melco-branded record player.

A standout feature of the HD-SKL is its included Windows software called SeekWizard. This program allows users to simulate hard drive head movements through different patterns—such as random seek, sequential seek, metronome, and timer—creating a unique, visual experience for hardware enthusiasts.

This model revives the concept of Buffalo’s original 1998 Skeleton Hard Disk, which had only 4.3GB of capacity. Now with modern specs, the 2025 edition blends nostalgia and function, appealing primarily to collectors, modders, and fans of retro tech.

Despite being fully operational, the drive comes with only a one-month warranty, reinforcing its identity more as a commemorative and collectible piece than a day-to-day storage device.

Sources: The Verge, TechSpot, Tom’s Hardware, TechRadar

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