Of course you will need a suitable storage method that can help you to save your own different important files. The hard disk can represent a great chance to save your important files, with its low cost and some safety and efficiency measures. So what is the hard disk, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the external hard disk? That’s what we are going to know in detail in this blog.
What is the external hard disk? And what are their advantages and disadvantages of the external hard disk?
The external hard disk is a mobile hard disk that can save different files and data. It can be connected to the computer via USB, Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi or any other connection methods.
Advantages of the external hard disk can be as follows:
- High storage capacity: external hard disk is characterised by its high storage capacity that may reach to many terabytes, which enables external hard disk to be the most commonly used storage method.
- Easy connection: external hard disk is characterised by its easy connection via different methods, such as connection via USB or Thunderbolt and etc.
- Easy compatibility with different systems: external hard disks are easily compatible with different systems, like Linux, mac OS, and Windows, which enables the external hard disk to be a suitable method for all systems.
- Easy transportation: The external hard disk is characterized by its small size, which enables it to work in various places easily and to be carried with the user easily.
- Easily used in backup operations: as it provides high storage space and wide capabilities for maintaining backup copies of the program.
- Providing high data transfer speeds: as modern SSD hard disks provide very high data transfer speeds.
Advantages of the external hard disk can be as follows:
- High cost: the recent types of the external hard disks are relatively expensive in comparison with other types of hard disks, such as SSD types hard disks.
- Easily lost:, as the small size of the external hard disk makes it easy to lose.
- Data on the external hard disk can be easily stolen: as external hard disk data can be easily stolen once it is connected to the computer, in the absence of strong passwords or strong data encryption methods for data security.
- Limited lifespan: external hard disks are characterised by their limited lifespan especially in modern types of hard disks, such as HDD, which are affected by excessive movement that reduces their lifespan.
- Performance is affected by the connection interface, as the transfer speed depends on the type of connection port, such as USB 2.0, which is slower than USB 3.0 and USB-C.
What are the types of the external hard disk?
External hard disks can be divided into the following types:
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD): these types of external hard disks are characterized by their low cost, low data transfer speed in comparison with other types, and they depend on rotating magnetic disks for data storage.
- Solid State Drive hard disk (SSD): these types of hard disks are characterised by their high speed of data transfer, low cost in comparison to other types especially HDD, in addition, it relies on flash memory chips instead of mechanical parts, in addition to durability and longer lifespan.
- The Non-Volatile Memory Express NVMe hard disk drive: it is a type of SSD hard disk, but it is faster and has higher performance, in addition to its easy use in games, video editing, and heavy programs.
- Hybrid Drive: which is a combination between HDD and SSD, contains a traditional HDD disk with SSD flash memory to speed up the most commonly used operations, making it available at a better price than an SSD hard disk.
As a user, you need to know advantages and disadvantages of the external hard disk and its types, and you need to define your needs from the external hard disk that can enable you to identify the type you need certainly.