A data storage apparatus includes a disk storage region in which magnetic disks are stored. A carrier mechanism picks up one or more of the magnetic disks and moves them to and from the disk storage region. A data access device of the apparatus includes a structure to receive the one or more magnetic disks from the carrier mechanism and spins the magnetic disks in place. One or more actuator arms are operable to move across a same surface of the one or more magnetic disks. Two or more read transducers are mounted to the actuator arms and operable to simultaneously read from the same surface of the one or more magnetic disks. Two or more write transducers are mounted to the actuator arms and operable to simultaneously write to the same surface of the one or more magnetic disks.