You don't think this is exciting? I couldn't care less about what causes a surge in demand, but if there is substantial pressure on the HDD manufacturers to improve any of the following, consumers will only benefit:

* lower price points ($/GB);

* speed;

* size;

* availability / supply.

Of course, it will suck in the short term if HDDs become much harder to find, but that should only last as long as the manufacturers believe this to be a short term trend.