When you need an external hard drive there are many technical words which might seem like Chinese if you don't know what this is all about. I have outlined the differences in this list:
- Capacity - normally in the middle of 160Gb and 2Tb at this time
- Speed - either 5400rpm or 7200rpm
- Cooling - some external hard drives are without a fan thus giving more heat
- Interface - normally Usb for external hard discs
- Warranties
Let's go straight through these points one by one so you know what to ask for if in doubt.
Capacity of Hard Discs
The capacity of hard discs depends on what you need to use your hard drive for. If you have a 160Gb drive in your laptop it's very probable that your partner has a similar disc - and if you add to that some extra storage, you will no doubt be aiming for at least the 500Gb disc.
When you furthermore think how data sizes grow constantly, you can do the math. A normal rule of thumb says to go for double the data you beyond doubt need.
Speeds of Hard Drive
Normal discs run at either 5,400 or 7,200 rounds per minute, and some Scsi discs run at 10,000rpm. These drives are rather costly so would normally not be used by inexpressive users. But with webhosting or network servers speed is of prime importance. When you run straight through thousands of fields in a database you need a hard drive that works at fair speeds.
When you also think the fact that Windows will use your hard disc for temporary files, you need speed. 7200rpm should be your goal - both for laptops and external discs.
Cooling - You Need a Fan
If you don't have a fan your disc will get hot. Heat is one of the worst things for all the electronic circuits. Hard discs burn out when exposed to too much heat. You don't want that to happen to your all-important reports or documents, so take good care of your disc.
Interface - normally Usb cables to Connect
Normally Usb is used for external drives, but there are also other formats such as external Scsi etc. either you select an external drive that requires power next to the Usb cable depends upon your needs. Both can be useful, but you must ensure your laptops can furnish enough power when you connect your external disc.
Warranties on Discs
Warranties are normally a sign of quality. A drive that is supplied with a 5 year certify is normally good than one where you only have two years. If you end up selecting in the middle of two roughly selfsame drives warranty should be an prominent factor.
In Conclusion
I have given you the prominent key facts you need to make a wise decision about your needs. You are ready to visit the electronics store and get your new external hard disc.
Buying an External Hard Drive - Know What to Look For