Thinking about buying an external hard drive? Read this blog first.
Do you have a bunch of your files on your computer that you can’t afford to lose? It’s probably a good idea to invest in an external hard drive. However, before buying one, there are a few things you should think about.
Type
Generally speaking, there are two types of external hard drives: solid-state drives (SSD) and hard disk drives (HDD). The former, while incredibly fast, is also very expensive. In fact, it can often double, if not triple, the price of a hard drive disk. A hard disk drive, on the other hand, boasts a more than capable speed and costs you much less. Unless you just can’t do without the extra speed, using a hard drive disk will work for all your data archiving needs.
Storage Capacity
The storage capacity in an external hard drive can vary greatly. What you intend to use it for will determine how much storage capacity you’ll want. Want to download a lot of videos? You’ll probably want something with a little more storage. Looking to store countless word processor documents? Something smaller will do just fine.
Portability and Size
To determine what size external hard drive you want, you’ll first need to consider what you plan to do with it. Do you plan on keeping it at home, requiring limited mobility? Or do you want to throw it in your backpack or briefcase to take back and forth between your house and the classroom or office? If you find yourself in the former category, you can get away with a drive that costs less but weighs more. If you find yourself in the latter category, however, you might want to shell out a little more for a lighter, more portable device.
Compatibility
What type of computer are you using – Mac, PC, something else? Depending on what computer you have could determine what external hard drives you can buy, as some are strictly compatible with one type of computer. To avoid buying a hard drive that’s not compatible with your computer, make sure you check this beforehand.
Choosing Your External Hard Drive
An external hard drive is a great way to create additional storage space for all your data archiving needs. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding and research can cause you to buy one that is less functional, or isn’t even compatible with your computer. By considering the above, however, you’ll be better able to identify the right hard drive storage device for you.