An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers on a pitch, where at least one of the transducers within the array is configured as a servo reader. In addition, one of the transducers configured as the servo reader is flanked by transducers on each side.

A storage device controller is configured to select one of multiple written track widths for a storage location based on a write attribute of data to be recorded at the storage location. According to one implementation, the storage device controller is further configured to select a power level for a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device based on the write attribute.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers on a pitch, where at least one of the transducers within the array is configured as a servo reader. In addition, one of the transducers configured as the servo reader is flanked by transducers on each side.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of transducers, where the array of transducers includes at least one contiguous group of transducers in a number specified in a format and at least two servo readers, where the servo readers are symmetrically positioned about the contiguous group of transducers and the servo readers are asymmetrically positioned relative to a centerline of the array of transducers. Moreover, a number of transducers in the contiguous group of transducers is less than a number of transducers in the array of transducers.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an array of equally-spaced 2N+1 transducers, and at least two servo readers positioned external to an outermost transducer of the array and on a same side thereof. An apparatus according to another embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers on a pitch. At least one of the transducers within the array is configured as a servo reader. An apparatus according to yet another embodiment includes an array of 2N+1 transducers, and a controller directly electrically coupled to each of the transducers. The controller is configured to use transducers on only one side of a centerline of the array in one mode of operation.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium including a plurality of recording tracks, a magnetic head, and a controller. The plurality of recording tracks includes a first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first recording operation of recording first information in at least two of a plurality of first track recording components included in the first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first reproduction operation of reproducing the first information from a first information reproducing/recording component of one of the at least two of the plurality of first track recording components.

A storage device controller is configured to select one of multiple written track widths for a storage location based on a write attribute of data to be recorded at the storage location. According to one implementation, the storage device controller is further configured to select a power level for a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device based on the write attribute.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium including a plurality of recording tracks, a magnetic head, and a controller. The plurality of recording tracks includes a first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first recording operation of recording first information in at least two of a plurality of first track recording components included in the first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first reproduction operation of reproducing the first information from a first information reproducing/recording component of one of the at least two of the plurality of first track recording components.