Buying Guide for internal and external hard drives

Knowledge does not take place, but the truth is that when it comes to storing files on a hard disk, this popular phrase is not met. Save data, whether it be pictures, movies or documents takes up space and if you want to preserve them over time, you need a self storage unit.

There are many ways to store but one of the best options is to use hard drives. Whether desktops, laptops or multimedia, are relatively small devices where we can store all kinds of data without worrying about losing them because the computer is damaged and also allows us to easily shift from one place to another. Although by no means forget about internal hard drives.

In the markets there are many options to choose from, so we know what hard disk we should according to our needs is essential.. To make this task easier, we have created this buying guide with keys that you must take into account wing time to buy one of these devices, because, as we will see below, we have something more that drives to store data.

Storage Type: mechanical hard drive or solid-state drive SSD

Today, the predominant format in portable hard drives has been mechanical discs, which for decades were the primary form of storage in modern computing. This type of hard drives is cheaper and has good speed data transmission. The problem you may have is that you have mechanical parts; if the device receives a blow can break and remain unused, although the shells come ready for this type of accidents. To their credit they have a greater storage capacity.

On the other hand, you have the SSD or solid state drives. One format that currently is used primarily for domestic and where some manufacturers like Samsung are already betting big unit. This type of hard disks has not known for mechanical parts so they are less likely to break. They are also quieter and much faster when transmitting data, so they are ideal for use as a bootable drive. The problem is that today do not provide a capability similar to the mechanical disk storage and the price is higher.

Storage space: the 500 GB to 2 TB

In terms of storage capacity, we can apply the axiom of “bigger is better” but we would be wrong. It’s good to know what we will use as our hard drive and whether or not we really need so much space. Are we going to store data such as photographs or films permanently? Then we should device 1TB or 2TB. Are we going to move data from one place to another as if it was a kind of USB flash drive? Maybe it suits a slightly smaller 500GB or more.

Many are already familiar with computer jargon and know how much is a GB but do we know how much is a TB? For those who do not know, remind you we are talking about a terabyte, or what is the same, GB 1000. That is, more than 250,000 songs in good quality, over 300 episodes of our favorite series… So if we’re going to store files like a library, maybe it suits a capacity of this size. If we are to move data, delete and recopy other, surely we should be somewhat smaller.

Multimedia Capabilities: playing videos and content on the web

When it appeared the first external hard drives were conceived as a mere unit of additional storage for computers. However, some manufacturers have been able to go beyond this idea and introduced to multimedia capabilities, installed on a monitor or television can play music, movies or series.

If we seek to use a hard disk for this purpose, we should look at two things. On the one hand compatibility: what kind of files opened, which supports video codecs… Usually, most are quite versatile and some already include support for formats such as mkv, focused on high-definition video. On the other hand it is good to know what type of connection you have: HDMI, VGA, Component, etc. We must ensure that the hard drive and the screens where we will connect compatible.

What is the difference between HDMI and VGA connection? Basically, the image quality. While using an analog VGA connection, HDMI is digital and therefore much higher quality signal. With HDMI you can view files in high definition (720p, 1080i and 1080p) without any problems. Conversely, if we connect a hard drive to a CRT TV, maybe it suits plus a VGA connection.

Some hard drives have decided to go a step further and, in addition to offering these multimedia capabilities, and introduce Internet are encouraged to turn our TV into a kind of Smart TV, or offer us the ability to record files of DTT or service cable that it hired. If we just use our hard drive to store files and these options do not attract our attention, we better forget this small media sector.

External power or direct USB connection

Another point which should be fixed is in the power supply. On the one hand we have hard drives that come with an external source. That is, a device on the table… and another plug into the socket. The beauty of this type of models is that they generally offer higher capacity and its price is more economical.

On the other hand we have hard drives that are exclusively for the USB. They have the advantage that they are more comfortable to wear and therefore also easy to transport. The problem they have is they are a bit more expensive in relation to the above if we seek a similar storage capacity.

Therefore, if we are not going to move much hard drive and do not care to have an external power source connected, the first are what we seek. However, if we are to move much this unit and do not mind sacrificing a little space, the best is a hard drive powered by USB.

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