Users can judge whether a drive is using horizontal or vertical mapping with a benchmark program that calculates the transfer rate or seek time of the hard disk. Vertical Normally, hard disks order their capacity in vertical mapping. Data is written or read from the top to bottom track, then the heads go to the next cylinder. In horizontal mapping, data is written or read from outer to inner cylinder before the heads switch to the next track. Both Horizonal and Vertical Certain hard disks utilize a combination of horizontal and vertical mapping.
Horizontal mapping takes place inside the zones, vertical mapping between zones.
When considering buying a hard disk, it is important to know the type of mapping. Those who need constant transfer rates for audio and video should look for a drive that does not perform horizontal mapping.