Difference between external hard drive and SSD

When it comes to storage, there are a lot of options to choose from. You can go with an external hard drive or an SSD. But what’s the difference between the two And which one is right for you? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each option.

External hard

External hard drives are just that – external devices that connect to your computer via a USB port. They come in all shapes and sizes, with a variety of storage capacities. They’re a great option for backing up your files, as well as storing extra movies, music, and photos.

SSD Hard

SSDs, on the other hand, are internal devices that replace your computer’s current hard drive. They offer much faster speeds than traditional hard drives, making them ideal for gaming and multimedia editing. However, they also tend to be more expensive than external hard drives.

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to back up your files, go with an external hard drive. If you need to store large files and want the best performance possible, an SSD is a better option. And if you just need to move some files around occasionally, either option will work for you.

PROS AND CONS OF HARD DRIVES

-cheaper than an SSD

-slow computer performance due to lack of memory storage

-use less energy because HDD does not generate heat CONS OF HARD DRIVES  -tend to break down easily if dropped OR bumped  -can be slow to access files  -generate a lot of heat and makes loud sounds when in use

PROS AND CONS OF SSD DRIVES

-data can be accessed quickly without generating noise or heat

-more reliable than hard drives CONS OF SSD DRIVES

-expensive when compared to hard drives

-limited storage capacity in comparison to hard drives  -may not work as long as hard drives if used often/abused

External hard drive vs SSD

An external hard drive is a device that connects to your computer via USB cable, while an SSD is a device used to replace the existing internal hard drive in your computer and offers much faster speeds than its counterpart.

One of the benefits of using a hard drive is that it’s relatively cheap to produce and can store large amounts of data. Hard drives also tend to be more reliable than SSDs, mainly because they don’t have any moving parts. However, hard drives suffer from two major problems: they’re slow to access data and they generate a lot of heat. One of the problems with SSDs is that they’re expensive. However, another benefit of using an SSD over a hard drive is that data can be accessed far more quickly and without making a lot of noise or generating heat.

External hard vs SSD photo credit

1. A SSD is a device that replaces your computer’s internal hard drive and will make a significant difference in the performance of the computer, while an external hard drive is a device that connects to your computer via USB cable for better or worse storage options depending on what you need it for.

2. An external hard drive will usually come in 2 size options: 500GB – 1TB and then 1-2TB after that, but can go up to 8TB or more these days, where as with an SSD you’ll generally get 240GB-512GB of storage space.

3. An external hard drive will be significantly cheaper than an SSD and also use less energy than its counterpart so it won’t heat up your computer as much, but an SSD will offer faster speeds for gaming and multimedia editing.

4. If you just need to move around some files every now and then, then an external hard drive is a good option, but if you need to have a bunch of files with you at all times (or permanently), then an SSD would be better.


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Wasim Cheema
By Wasim Cheema

Wasim Cheema is a tech enthusiast who is passionate about all things that have to do with laptops and gadgets. He provides unbiased laptop reviews on different tech sites, where he has been sharing his thoughts on the latest technology for over 8 years now. His technical knowledge has helped him in providing sound advice on various topics including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other consumer electronics which are often difficult to find a reliable source of information on the web.


The Laptop Arts is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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