In one embodiment, a tape read / write head supported by a lever is biased in a first position, using magnetic attraction between a
magnet supported by the lever, and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the
magnet centers itself, in the absence of a coil generated
magnetic field, in the middle of a gap of the magnetic return path structure. In one aspect, the
mass of the read / write head and one side of the lever may be balanced by the
mass of the
magnet and the other side of the lever. The lever and hence the tape read / write head carried by the lever, may be pivoted by conducting current through a coil to generate a
magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the
magnetic field of the magnet. As a consequence, the lever pivots on a pivot axis as a function of the magnitude and direction of the current through the coil. The face of the magnet may be divided into portions of opposite
magnetic polarity to facilitate a relatively pure torque to be developed substantially without a
net force. Other embodiments are described and claimed.