Table of Contents
Introduction
HDD or a hard disk drive is a fixed drive which is a data storage device for your computer and is the primary and also the most extensive storage device for your computer. It is this piece of equipment, that houses the operating system, other files on your computer as well as other software assets.
The C drive on your computer is a hard disk drive. These are the internal drives, which are built into the computer at the time of manufacturing and are positioned inside a casing for safeguarding against any possible external disturbances.
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Hard disk drives, however, can also be external. The external hard disk drives are stored inside a particular casing, which helps to protect it against any external issues. They are also equipped with a cable or USB so that it can interface with the computer.
Why Are External Disk Drives Used
There are several cool things to do with an external hard drive, but the primary purpose of a hard disk drive is for storage of digital data on its magnetic substance coating (platters), which rotate rapidly, and retrieves information (the data that is relevant and can be accessed not necessarily in a sequence but in any order) and it is also able to retain data, even when the computer is switched off. This way, it provides “non volatile storage.”
The external hard disk drives help in the extension of the storage capacity of a system, including gaming PC’s and gaming consoles such as Xbox and PS4. These are easily portable, and it allows the users to carry files that are important and allow you the access to these files, even if you are on the go. It also allows you to create back up of data and of computer files so that you can also store them elsewhere. Creating and storing of the back up data is a crucial function of these external disk drives. The reason for this is because all applications and programs on a computer system can get corrupted and be lost forever in case there is a failure in the internal hard disk drive.
External Disk Drive History From Past To Present
- The first hard disk drive came into the market on 13th September 1956 and was introduced by IBM. It was used for the first time in the RAMAC 305 system, and it had a storage capacity of about 5 MB, and it cost around $50,000 (this means $10,000 per megabytes.) The hard drive initially was not removable, and it was built into the computer.
- IBM then developed in 1963 the first removable hard drive, which had 2.6 MB capacity of storage. IBM was also the first one to develop a hard drive that had the storage capacity of one gigabyte in 1980. It cost about $40,000, and it weighed 550 pounds.
- In 1983 there was the introduction of the first ever 3.5-inch hard drive, which was developed by Rodime, and the storage capacity of this hard drive was 10 MB.
- Seagate introduced the first 7200-RPM hard drive in 1992. This company was also responsible for introducing in 1996, the first ever-hard disk drive with 10,000 RPM. They also introduced the first hard disk drive with 15,000 RPM in 2000.
Top 3 Brands that Produce Quality External Hard Drives
The best-known external hard disk drive brands include Toshiba, Seagate, Western Digital, and Hitachi, amongst others like SanDisk, Samsung, and G-tech.
Western Digital
One of the best brands for buying external hard disk drives is Western Digital. It provides an excellent solution for any additional storage needs. Available in sizes from 1 TB to 4TB and it is one of the best choices you can find when it comes to external hard disk drives.
Equipped with 256 AES encryption, and most of their products also have their own software suite. It is excellent when it comes to the data transfer speed, and it is very quick. Their external hard drives are usually USB compatible as well, and there are a large variety and options to choose from.
Below are some of the best selling external hard drive from Western Digital
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Samsung
Samsung is a well-known brand name for many other electronic and digital devices, and it is no surprise that it is an excellent choice for an external hard disk drive as well. It is solid and offers faster transfer of data than most other hard drives, and it provides an excellent expansion for tablets, Windows devices, and smartphones.
It may not offer a lot of storage space, even though the rate of transfer in Samsung devices is fast. Moreover, it is compact and lightweight because it is tiny and makes it an excellent choice in terms of practicality and portability.
Below are some of the best selling external hard drive from Samsung
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Seagate
Seagate is yet another one of the best brands to choose when buying an external hard disk drive. It is the perfect combination of combining capacity and speed. It is available in a different range of sizes up to 8TB, and it is also excellent for read and writes speeds as well. It has lower average failure rates as well, and you get to have backup software, and the drive is compatible with macs, windows both.
Below are some of the best selling external hard drive from Seagate
Latest update on 2022-11-19 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API
Price Range For External Hard Disk Drives
The prices of the external hard disk drives can vary between $70 to $300 and more. An average external hard disk drive from a reputable brand with functional storage capacity will cost you around $100, at least. An average external hard disk drive from Western Digital can cost you somewhere around $80 or more. Samsung’s external hard disks require around $95-100 and above, making it costly and towards the higher side than many other brands in the same category. Seagate, on the other hand, is an excellent brand for an external hard disk drive, but it is more towards the lower price range and provides superior performance on a budget.
What To Look For When Buying External Hard Drives
It is a good practice to back up your important files using a good external hard disk drive even if you do have cloud storage. It helps to ensure that all of your important information is secure and safe no matter what happens to your Internet connection or your computer.
So when you decide to invest in an external hard disk drive, there are a few things, which you must consider before making the final decision.
Storage Capacity
This is the most crucial factor to consider. There is no point in buying a high-speed device with remote access and encryption if it isn’t big enough for storing all of your information. There is also no point in buying a very expensive one with high storage capacity, which you will not be able to fill.
A mid-range flash drive would be recommended that you want to expand the storage of your low end tablet or laptop or just want to transfer your photos, documents, and other media for safe keeping.
However, if you’re going to store a lot more for the long term, you should go for something bigger. A 1 TB drive would generally suit the majority of needs for the future.
SSD or HDD
The external disk drives can be SSD or HDD. The HDD is the hard disk drive that uses spinning magnetic disks for data storage, and the read or write can change this data if there is a necessity. The SSD, which are the solid-state drives, make use of tiny grate transistors in cells that can be flipped on or off through electric pulses. There are no moving parts.
The SSDs are faster as compared to the HDDs but may also be more expensive. HDDs however, can be damaged more easily. It is best to choose the SSD unless you have some specifications.
Transfer Speed
Transfer speed (5400 rpm vs 7200 rpm) is yet another essential factor to consider, especially if you plan on transferring huge drives on a regular basis and would obviously not want to wait forever for the transfer to complete. The transfer speed generally depends upon the connector that it uses as well as the underlying storage capacity that it has. Usually, SSD are able to process data faster as compared to HDDs.
Portability and Durability
The NAS or the network-attached storage may be the best choice for you if you simply want an external hard disk drive for storing your back up data in your home. It is usually a wired device that is stand alone on the local network, and it packs more than one device and storage modes.
However, if you plan to keep your data with you as you go out and about, then portability should be a factor, which you must consider before buying an external hard disk drive. It should be lightweight and small that can easily fit in a bag or a pocket. SSD are also a better choice when you want to invest in an external disk drive that is long lasting and durable. It is protected with rugged casing against damage and wear and tear.
Final Words
When you are choosing to buy an external hard disk drive for yourself, it is best to do your homework thoroughly. There are many features to consider and depend upon your own specifications and needs, and of course, on your budget. You should get the best quality one which is durable as it will last you for years and would not need replacing.
