Vs Internals. External Hard Drive - Tech Tribune France

Differences between the two

First of all, the main difference between an internal drive and an external drive is that internal hard drives are installed in the body (laptop) or tower (desktop) of your computer, while external hard drives are connect to your computer via a USB or FireWire port. link. In non-tech terms: internal hard drives work inside your computer; external hard drives work outside of your computer. While you can start considering the pros and cons in your head, you can find more detail between the two discs by understanding how each is useful in certain situations.

The device itself is relatively similar in both situations. The two write data to a magnetic disk by spinning it against a magnetized arm. Both contain hubs. Internal and external drives also do the same thing, they store your files and retrieve them when needed. Basically, it's almost the same type of device. And either way, hard drives are essential to using a computer, and you can't have a computer that doesn't have at least one internal hard drive. There would be no information to access, no way to back up your files, and nothing for your computer to search for when trying to perform any action. Hard drives are integral to the functionality of your computer, and whether you have an internal or external preference, both can lend themselves well to the value of your PC.

External hard drives offer a multitude of conveniences. They're easy to set up: just plug them in with your USB or FireWire cable and you're ready to save files directly to the new external drive. It works almost the same as a USB flash drive. External hard drives are also handy for transferring files from one device to another. Need to get all your video files on your Playstation 4? Want to move important documents from your home computer to your work computer? An external hard drive allows you to accomplish this easily. Finally, they are an excellent backup of the internal disk. You can store all your files on a second device in case your laptop is lost or stolen. If you back up your files to a separate machine, you can rest easy knowing you have two copies of everything. Never forget to back up your files!

Other great benefits of external hard drives include:

Internal hard drives can have some advantages over external drives, however. Internal hard drives are faster to rip and save files to because they work directly with your motherboard and the files don't "travel" through a cable. If you can install another hard drive on your machine, do so. However, most computers (especially laptops) cannot install a second hard drive. There is no place for that. Getting a second internal drive probably means upgrading your first and using the new one instead. And while you can get a second one, you need to be comfortable with opening your computer's case or tower. Most people would prefer not to. This makes the choice quite easy.

Additional advantages that internal hard drives can have over external hard drives include:

There are downsides to external hard drives. They are more expensive than internals because the technology they use is newer and a bit more difficult to manufacture. Plus, it can be a treasure hunt trying to find the right type of external hard drive to buy. Externals are slower than internals because they connect via a cable instead of being installed directly into the machine. External components break much more easily, as you will be carrying them in a bag and they are not protected by your computer case/tower. And here's something most people don't consider until it happens: external hard drives are very easy to lose. They're small, you'll take them to different places, and they're not inside your computer. If you lose your computer, you lose your hard drive; however, an external hard drive is very easy to misplace, especially when moving house. All of this isn't to say that you shouldn't get an external hard drive – we bring up these points just to show that external ones have disadvantages over internal ones, even if it doesn't initially seem like it.

And there are of course some downsides to having an internal drive. Again, it all depends on what type of hard drive is best for you in your situation. Many people prefer internal hard drives because of their storage capacity and the fact that they stay inside the computer, but there can be pitfalls that are hard to avoid. For example, since they are fixed inside your computer, this means that they must remain there at all times. You can't easily take it out and put it in another computer for file transfer. This task is much easier to do with external hard drives. Also, if you want to upgrade them, you basically have to replace them completely. And most of the time, that means doing it yourself. If you're not computer savvy enough to understand how to uninstall and reinstall hard drives, you may end up stuck with no hard drive or working computer.

It is important to realize that the decision between internal and external is not an either/or scenario. In fact, you can only get an external hard drive besides the internal drive you are currently using. Having a variety of storage options ensures your files are safe, easy to share, easy to store, and easy to access. An external hard drive is a great investment, think of it as a really big thumb drive. Likewise, you might even consider getting a cloud service to store files online. There are a variety of options when it comes to file storage, and a mix between internal, external, and cloud storage is your best bet. Those who need multiple places for storage and safekeeping often opt for a variety of options to meet their storage needs. Keep in mind that when choosing an initial internal or external drive, you don't have to stick with your choice forever. In fact, you can experiment with both options to see what works best for you. You might find that these are two equally viable options to add to your storage collection!

Ultimately, the most important thing to consider when choosing a new hard drive is convenience. Consider that an internal hard drive will likely need to be formatted for your computer and operating system, especially if it's a new upgrade from your old one. If you need to perform more complicated tasks such as partitioning your computer, an internal hard drive is your best bet. It is much easier to format an internal disk than an external disk. On the other hand, an external drive doesn't need to be formatted at all, so it might be the most convenient option for your needs. Think about what works best for your storage capacity, operating system, and the devices you'll be using the hard drive with.

If you want physical protection, you can keep in mind that both internal and external hard drives come with their own enclosure. Technically, the internal drives themselves aren't in an enclosure, but they are surrounded by the case of your computer tower or laptop. This protects them from potential damage from dust, water, and static shock. Similarly, an external hard drive comes with its own shell. You will never find an exposed external drive for sale. You won't have to worry about damaging it or creating your own form of protection, as it will be very protected in the shell it is in.

When comparing prices, things can get a bit tricky. Although both types of discs are affordable, they often need to be broken down by brand and type. For example, some hard drives of the same brand and specifications may be cheaper as an external drive than an internal drive. Sometimes you will find that the opposite is true. Do your research to uncover the biggest price differences from the brands you trust the most so you can make the most informed decision.

In conclusion, the difference between internal and external hard drives is exactly what their name implies: internal goes inside your computer, while external is outside your computer. Internal drives offer a variety of benefits, including greater storage capacity, ease of formatting, and protection inside your computer. External ones are portable, do not require formatting and can often help to exchange files between devices. Internals are faster and cheaper, but you usually can't fit a second one on your machine. As you can see, the pros and cons apply to both sides, and the final decision is yours. If you have to choose between one or the other, think about the type of hard drive you already have or the type of storage you want to create. Don't forget the cloud storage options either! These days, having more than one location for your stored files is your best bet for security and backup. Getting a variety of storage options is usually the best bet to ensure your files are safe and secure.