SNIP>
>Very true. One point often overlooked is that the speed of the HD is different depending on the nearness of the physical sector to the outer rim because of radial speed. Therefore it makes sense to partition the disk, use the inner sectors for mostly static, read once data and have a fast "working" partition on the outer rim. Just look at the tyoical disk tests on tomshardware or similar sites.
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That's an interesting perspective. But I'm not sure it would be that helpful.

Assuming that C: would be on the outer area and D: inward to the centre...

I stopped partitioning my HDs as soon as it was feasible, but that's beside the point.

I understand that many (most?) people like to partition their HD so that C: has all the OS and products and D: has all their working (personal) data.
In such a case they are paying a penalty every time they access their working data because chances are good that the OS or the active programs refer to C: frequently, for anything from their executable components to their temp files in Documents and settings...
This means crossing the whole of C: including a bunch of empty space every time that happens. And in the reverse direction too.

I think people are better off not using partitioning, most particularly for the HD housing C:.

cheers