A quantitative calculation of the readback performance of shielded MR heads is performed for high density perpendicular magnetic recording, and compared with that from longitudinal recording. An analytical expression of the head field of the MR head with doule layer media is given to be used in a reciprocity calculation. Conditions to achieve a half-height pulse width, PW so' of 115 nm and 70 nm are presented. With these results and SNR estimations, issues of the read/write system to obtain areal densities of 20 Gbpsi and higher are discussed.