A negative pressure air bearing slider including a first air bearing
surface formed on the bottom of the slider body at the upstream position
so as to extend in the lateral direction of the slider body, and a pair of
second air bearing surfaces formed on the bottom of the slider body
separately from the first air bearing surface at downstream positions
spaced in the lateral direction so as to define an air stream passage
therebetween. The second air bearing surfaces serve to generate positive
pressures that are spaced apart at downstream positions where a transducer
element is embedded in the slider body, so that the slider's stiffness to
rolling action can be enhanced. The cooperation of the front and rear
rails enables for the creation of a higher negative pressure.