the essentials in brief
The best external Hard drive depends on what you are looking for. It all comes down to value for money, capacity, storage speed, compatibility and of course design. Seagate hard drives are good all-rounders and therefore very popular with many people.
To format an external hard drive for Mac, go to Finder > Applications > Utilities. Then open the Disk Utility program and select the hard drive you want to format.
It depends on what requirements you have for your external hard drive. An external HDD offers a large capacity at an affordable price. However, it is slower and louder than an SSD hard drive.
The external hard drive is a versatile tool that is widely used among tech-savvy users. External hard drives offer many tremendous benefits for the modern computer user, including more space for valuable data. This blog post takes a closer look at what makes a good external hard drive and how it differs from other types of hard drives.
Contents
Hard drive – what is it actually?
A hard drive is a storage medium used to store data. It consists of one or more disks that rotate slowly and on which data is stored magnetically.
A disadvantage of hard drives However, is that they are vulnerable to physical damage. If a hard drive is dropped or overheated, it can lead to data loss. It is therefore important to treat them with care and protect them from shocks and overheating.
Additional information: Did you know that hard drives use magnetic technology to store data? This technology works by placing small magnetic particles on a surface to represent the 1s and 0s that make up digital data!
Choosing the right hard drive
Choosing the right external or internal hard drive for your needs can be challenging as there are many different types of hard drives that vary in capacity, speed, reliability and price. Listed below are the most important factors that should be considered when choosing the right hard drive.
Internal and external hard drives
First of all, you have to decide whether you need an internal or external hard drive. An internal hard drive is built into your computer and cannot be easily removed while a external hard drive can be connected via a USB cable and easily transported. If you plan on transporting your data frequently, an external hard drive is a better choice, while an internal hard drive is better for constant use.
Maximum storage space
One of the most important properties of hard drives is their capacity. They can hold several terabytes (TB) of storage space, making them ideal for storing large amounts of data such as movies, photos, and music. They are also able to read and write data quickly, making them suitable for applications such as editing videos or playing games.
The most popular capacity sizes of hard drives are:
- 500 GB: A hard drive with a Capacity of 500GB offers enough storage space for most applications, including storing movies, music, photos and documents. This magnitude is found in many laptops and desktop computers.
- 1TB: External hard drives with a capacity of 1 TB offer twice the storage space of 500 GB hard drives and are ideal for those who need to store large amounts of data. However, 1TB external hard drives are also a good choice for gaming PCs or media servers. With external 1 TB hard drives you can accumulate files for several years without having to upgrade your computer.
- 2TB: A hard drive with a 2TB capacity are ideal for professional applications or for data backup and storage.
It is important to note that these capacities are intended as a guide and there are larger hard drive capacities available. Which capacity is right for you also depends on your specific requirements and uses. It's important to back up regularly to protect and recover your data in the event of a failure.
The first hard drive: The first hard disk was developed by IBM in 1956 and had a capacity of only 5 MB. In comparison, modern hard drives today have capacities of up to 20 TB!
Speed
Hard drive speed is another important feature. It indicates how fast the hard drive can read and write data. A faster hard drive will start up faster and applications will load faster. However, if you only want to store basic files, a slower hard drive will do. Hard drives with a higher rotational speed (RPM) are usually faster than hard drives with a lower RPM.
Manufacturers
It is important to choose a hard drive from a reputable manufacturer as this reduces the chances of failure. It's also important to consider the hard drive's warranty period and make sure it's long enough to cover your needs. Some manufacturers also offer data recovery services or hard drives Receiverfunction on if the hard disk should fail.
The most popular manufacturers of external hard drives:
There are some manufacturers who produce test winners in terms of external hard drives particularly often. If you also want to purchase external hard drives and test winner products, you should take a closer look at these manufacturers:
Connections
Another factor to consider when choosing a hard drive is the connector format. There are different formats such as SATA, SAS, NVMe, which have different speeds and connectors, suitable for different applications. Before purchasing a hard drive, make sure it is compatible with your computer and that you have the right one Connection have on site.
- SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a connector mainly used for internal hard drives. It allows data and power to be transferred between a computer and an internal hard drive. SATA hard drives are the most commonly used hard drives in desktop computers and laptops and are generally compatible with most computers and operating systems.
- USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a common connector used primarily for external USB hard drives is used. USB hard drives enable a simple and fast connection to a computer, by being able to transmit data and power over a single cable. USB hard drives are the simplest and most common type of external hard drive and are generally compatible with most computers and operating systems.
In addition to SATA and USB hard drives there are also the connection types SAS, NAS and NVMe. SAS is a connector that is mainly used for servers and professional applications, while NVMe is better suited for performance-intensive applications such as gaming or video editing.
Overall, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right external or internal hard drive. By carefully considering your needs, comparing the options available, and making sure the hard drive you choose meets your needs, you can ensure that you find a hard drive that will store your data safely and reliably.
SSD Hard Drives vs. HDD Hard Drives – What's the Difference?
There are many options in the world of computer storage media, the two most commonly used being the Solid State Drive (SSD) and the Hard Disk Drive (HDD). Both types of hard drives have their own pros and cons that are important when choosing the right hard drive.
An HDD, also known as traditional Drive, consists of one or more disks that rotate slowly and on which data is stored magnetically. They are typically larger than SSDs and typically offer more storage space at a lower price. They are therefore particularly well suited for use on desktop computers or in servers, rather than in portable devices such as laptops or tablets.
An SSD, on the other hand, is a storage medium based on NAND flash memory technology and has no moving parts. They are typically smaller and lighter than HDDs and offer higher read and write speeds, making them particularly suitable for applications that require fast data transfer. They are also better suited for portable devices such as laptops or tablets as they are less prone to damage from shock and shock.
A major advantage of SSDs is faster access time, which means that the computer starts up and applications load faster than HDDs. They also have lower latencies and offer higher Performance when processing large amounts of data. On the other hand, HDD hard drives are often cheaper and offer a higher storage capacity than SSD hard drives.
Advantages and disadvantages of an SSD hard drive compared to an HDD hard drive
Tip: A rule of thumb to consider when deciding between a HDD and SSD hard drive to consider is that if speed and access time are a primary concern, choose an SSD drive. However, if storage space and cost are a primary concern, choose an HDD hard drive.
Discover the best external hard drives:
- High Capacity: The Toshiba Canvio Partner offers 2TB of storage space that allows you to store a large amount of data including documents, photos, music and videos.
- Fast Transfer Speed: With its USB 3.0 interface, this external hard drive offers a fast data transfer rate of up to 5Gbps, making it easy to transfer large files quickly.
- Easy to use: Just plug this external hard drive into your computer's USB port and start using it right away. No software or drivers are required, it is ready to use.
- Portable Design: The Canvio Partner is small, light and compact, making it easy to carry. It's perfect for people who need to work with their data or be on the go.
- Reliable performance: This external hard drive is built to Toshiba's quality and reliability standards to ensure your data is safe and secure. It also features shock sensors to protect your data from accidental drops or bumps.
- The WD Elements external hard drive with USB 3.0 offers a high storage capacity of up to 2 TB as well as high transfer rates. The housing is light and compact, ideal for transport on the go.
- With the external hard drive, you can easily transfer a full-length HD movie. The WD Elements works seamlessly with the latest USB 3.0 devices and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices.
- Boost the performance of your PC. You no longer need to delete files to get your PC up and running again. Easily transfer your files to the 2 TB external hard drive.
- The stylish housing of the HDD hard drive is not only light and compact, but also provides reliable protection and shock resistance. Preformatted for Windows and reformatted for macOS.
- Box contents: WD Elements external HDD 2 TB black, USB cable, quick installation guide; 2 years
- Expand your computer's capacity with a lightweight, compact solution Compatible with PC, notebook, Xbox & PS4 consoles
- Instant plug and play PC compatibility; Simple drag-and-drop functionality
- Fast file transfer with USB 30 (backwards compatible with USB 20)
- Buy this product exclusively from Amazon
- Enjoy long-term security with the included 2-year limited warranty and the Rescue Data Recovery Services for 2 years
- For MAC users: Go to Finder and then enable Preferences | General tab , Show these items on the desktop. Confirm that Hard Drives is selected.
- 2,5 inch (6,35 cm) external hard drive, flat plastic housing, FAT32, plug & play, 5400 rpm, LED display
- Ready to go without installation (Plug & Play), SuperSpeed USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via USB port
- Max. Data transfer rate: read (85 MB / s), write (75 MB / s)
- This hard drive is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7/8 / 8.1 / 10, Mac OS 10.x operating systems
- Scope of delivery: Intenso Memory Case 1 TB external hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, multilingual operating instructions
- This product complies with Google's compatibility standards and is certified accordingly. Chromebook and the Works with Chromebook logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
- The My Passport is reliable mobile storage for versatile use on the go. The external HDD offers an attractive design and space to store, organize and share files.
- Just get started. Thanks to the supplied cables, you are ready to go straight away. Just plug it in and you're already transferring your most important data with the SuperSpeed USB.
- Unauthorized persons do not have access to your private content. With our software you assign a password and your data on the external memory is protected from prying eyes.
- Never forget a backup again and avoid data loss. The mobile hard drive creates automatic backups for you. All you have to do is set the time and frequency.
- WD My Passport 5TB External Hard Drive (Downloadable Software, SuperSpeed USB Cable, Quick Install Guide) Black; 3 year guarantee
- 【Updated Version】- The external hard drive is a combination of mirror logo stripe and non-slip design, and the rounded case is more suitable for hand pads
- 【System Compatibility】 - Windows / Mac / Linux / Android / TV / PC / Laptop / Ps4 / Xbox
- 【Plug and Play】- no software needed, just plug it in and the device is ready to use. The hard drive chip is wrapped with an anti-interference aluminum layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Works with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports to deliver ultra-fast transfer speeds Theoretically read speeds up to 120MB / s, write speeds up to 103MB / s
- 【What's in the package】-1 external hard drive,1 USB 3.0 cable,1 user manual,gift box,manufacturer's warranty of 3 years.
- WD_BLACK Game Drives – the game savers! Play and backup PS4 games, save PS5 games for more console space.
- With up to 130 MB/s, the HDD hard drive increases the performance of your PC or console - gaming fun without limits.
- P10 Game Drive: Simply connect and load your favorite games onto the HDD - so you always have your game collection with you for spontaneous gaming adventures with friends.
- The external HDD's shockproof and robust housing allows you to play safely wherever you are. Just plug in, log in and start any game.
- Scope of delivery: WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive external hard drive 5 TB (mobile and robust high-performance hard drive, for console and PC, store up to 125 games) black; Quick Installation Guide
- 2,5 inch external hard drive including wall bracket, flat plastic housing, FAT32, Plug & Play, LED display
- Ready to go without installation (Plug & Play), SuperSpeed USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via USB port
- Max. data transfer rate: read: 85 MB/s and write 75 MB/s. / Revolutions: up to 5400 rpm. / Cache: 8MB
- PVR Ready; Recording time up to 800 hours
- Scope of delivery: Intenso Memory Play 1TB external hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, wall bracket, multilingual user manual
- ✔ System compatibility - external hard drive for TV / Ps4 / Xbox / Windows / Mac / Linux / Android OS etc
- ✔Minimalistic design portable external hard drive plug-and-play: no software installation and configuration necessary
- ✔ Robust and durable - This portable hard drive is very narrow, waterproof and shockproof
- ✔ Ultra-fast data transfer - hard drive works with USB3.0 and backwards compatible USB2.0 for very fast. Up to 5 Gbit / s, about ten times faster than the USB 2.0 standard ， transmission speeds
- ✔ Scope of delivery and service - 1 portable, robust hard drive, 1 USB3.0 cable, 1 user manual, 3-year guarantee
- 2,5 inch external hard drive, FAT32, LED display, high-quality aluminum housing
- Ready to go without installation (Plug & Play), SuperSpeed USB port 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0), power supply via USB port
- Max. data transfer rate: read: 85 MB/s and write 75 MB/s. / Revolutions: up to 5400 rpm. / Cache: 8MB
- System Compatibility: This hard drive is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Mac OS 10.x operating systems
- Box contents: Intenso Memory Board 1 TB, 2,5 inch external hard drive, USB 3.0 cable, multilingual user manual
File Backup and Maintenance: A Guide
It's important to back up your files regularly and keep your hard drive clean and organized to ensure they aren't lost in the event of a hard drive failure or other technical issue. Here are a few ways you can follow to safely and effectively create one Data Backup .
file backup
- Use an external hard drive or cloud storage service: One of the best ways to get a Data Backup to perform is to copy them to an external hard drive or a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive. These services allow you to save and access your files from any computer or mobile device and also typically offer automatic backup features.
- Make regular backups: Make sure you back up your files regularly to ensure your data is always up to date. A good schedule for creating backups is every week or even daily depending on how often you change your files.
- Use multiple locations: It's also a good idea to spread your backups across multiple locations, such as both an external hard drive and the cloud. That way, even if one of the storage locations goes down, you still have access to your data.
- Encrypt your backups: If you store sensitive data, it is important to encrypt your backups to ensure that data remains protected in case the backup falls into the hands of thieves and scammers on the internet reached.
- Check and verify your backups: It's important to regularly check that your backups have been successful and that all your important files are included. This way you can react quickly if there are problems.
- Use special backup software: There is also special backup software that you can use to back up your files automatically and regularly. This software allows you to select specific folders or files that you want to back up and copy them to an external hard drive or to the cloud.
Disk Care
- Keep your hard drive clean and organized: The best external hard drive is well organized and has a minimized risk of data loss. Therefore, regularly delete unnecessary files and organize your files in folders so that you can quickly find what you are looking for.
- Reset the hard drive regularly: By regularly resetting your hard drive, you can avoid potential problems in the Drive identify and fix them before they lead to data loss.
Note: Hard drives can be damaged in a variety of ways, including mechanical failure, overheating, moisture, and electromagnetic interference. An average hard disk therefore has a service life of around 3-5 years.
External hard drive 2 5 inches summarized
The best external hard drive is a versatile storage device that offers a simple and affordable way to store your data effectively, transport it easily and back it up easily. External hard drives are compact and with today's technology it is possible to store large amounts of data on a small external hard drive. This allows for fast data transfer and high storage capacity, keeping your data safe and mobile for years to come!
Everything about external hard drive 2 5 inches at a glance
It is recommended to use an external storage device such as an external hard drive or a USB hard drive as they tend to be compact and cheaper and easier to use than internal hard drives.
External hard drives are easier to manufacture, package, and ship, and are less prone to mechanical damage than internal hard drives. Therefore, they are usually cheaper, but often less durable than internal hard drives.
An external hard drive can usually be purchased in capacities ranging from 500GB to 6TB, but the maximum storage capacity depends on size and price.