An apparatus and associated method for a head gimbal assembly for data transduction in a data storage device with a heat assist laser. Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a slider supporting at least a transducing element on an air bearing surface (ABS) and a laser assembly directly attached to a top side of the slider opposite the ABS. The laser assembly is positioned on the top side with no portion of the laser assembly extending past a longitudinal centerline of the slider.