Buzz
Currently, the portable hard drive market is becoming more booming than ever due to the increasing storage needs of users. Therefore, users, especially those new to this product, and those with little experience in buying hard drives, are often confused.
Similar to checking a newly purchased laptop, gaining experience in buying hard drives must go through a process of research and identifying personal needs. However, unlike checking a newly purchased laptop, buying a hard drive depends on many factors that a laptop does not have. Understanding this concern, Mytour will share with you the most effective tips and experiences in buying portable hard drives.
Golden tips for purchasing external hard drives
Golden tips for purchasing external hard drives include paying attention to classifying the characteristics of the hard drive according to easily classifiable criteria. Here, Mytour will classify external hard drives based on criteria such as: portable hard drive type, shock resistance, manufacturer, storage capacity, connection type, and drive rotation speed.
1. Classifying portable hard drives
Classifying portable hard drives helps you have a more accurate understanding of the types of portable hard drives on the market and know which type of hard drive is suitable for your needs.
Currently, there are three main types of hard drives: 3.5-inch, 2.5-inch, and 1.8-inch portable hard drives. The largest 3.5-inch portable hard drive is usually for desktops, requiring users to use a separate power cord and connection cable to provide power and transfer data. The second type, the 2.5-inch hard drive, is the most popular today, and the 1.8-inch model, the smallest, consumes less power and can share a power and data cable.
>Experience in buying portable hard drives: The 3.5-inch portable hard drive is for business users with large storage needs, while the 1.8-inch model is for users who need a thin and light device, and the 2.5-inch is for mainstream laptop users.
2. Shock resistance
Portable hard drives with shock resistance are a special feature of some types of hard drives. By default, each hard drive has a sturdy protective shell, but portable hard drives can have enhanced shock resistance with protective shells made of rubber, metal, waterproof standards, and dust resistance.
When diving into the realm of portable hard drives, here are some golden tips for those who find themselves on the move frequently and in potentially hazardous environments.
Exploring the Landscape of Manufacturers
The market is flooded with a plethora of portable hard drive options from renowned brands like Samsung, LaCie, Sony, Toshiba, Western Digital, Seagate, Transcend, and more. The abundance of choices might leave consumers in a dilemma when deciding on a reliable portable hard drive brand.
Based on the collective wisdom of seasoned buyers, two giants stand out in terms of speed, durability, and overall product quality: Western Digital and Seagate. Meanwhile, LaCie boasts the highest price tag, and Samsung, Toshiba, and Sony fall into the mid-range category. Seagate takes the lead with an impressive 60-month warranty period.
Embarking on the Quest for Portable Hard Drives
Unveiling the Storage Capacities
Undoubtedly, storage capacity is a key consideration for users eyeing their favorite hard drive brands in the market. This holds especially true for those planning to utilize portable drives for storing music, movies, design files, and more.
For 1.8-inch drives, expect options in 120GB, 160GB, and 250GB capacities. Meanwhile, traditional 2.5-inch drives offer a range from 320GB to 2TB, and 3.5-inch drives typically exceed the 2TB mark.
Navigating the Terrain of Portable Hard Drive Capacities
Unveiling the RPM Speeds
The capacity choice for a portable hard drive depends on your needs. For basic requirements like document storage, a 160-320GB drive suffices. If your needs extend to movies, music, and software storage, opt for a 500GB-2TB drive. Keep in mind that higher capacities come with varying price tags, demanding thoughtful consideration.
Delving into the World of Drive Rotation Speeds
Insights for Purchasing Portable Hard Drives
- 5400 RPM Speed: A commonly used speed suitable for many 2.5-inch drives available today.
- 7200 RPM Speed: Offers faster read and write speeds, typically found in high-end machine models.
- 10,000 RPM or Higher Speeds: Delivers exceptionally high read and write speeds, designed for high-end personal computers and workstations.
Connecting the Dots: Drive Connectivity
When tethering your portable hard drive to a computer, it relies on a specific connection protocol—the USB port. Currently, two prevalent USB standards are in use: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, with USB 3.0 being the latest standard offering faster read and write speeds. Additionally, alternative connection standards like eSata, FireWire, or Thunderbolt are available, providing substantial transmission speeds.
Insights for Purchasing Portable Hard Drives:
On some older models, USB 2.0 remains the most common standard, but its read and write speeds suffer when connected to a computer. Meanwhile, the widely adopted USB 3.0 interface prevails in many contemporary drives, especially those capable of backward compatibility with USB 2.0. On the other hand, hard drives utilizing FireWire or Thunderbolt standards have limited availability today, often accompanied by a higher price tag.
Price differentiation in portable hard drives is evident based on their functions and storage capacities. Models with capacities starting from 500GB, featuring shock resistance and USB 3.0 standard, range from approximately 1.2 million VND upwards. For 1TB capacities, prices escalate to 1.5 million VND and beyond.
On the other hand, drives with capacities of 2TB and above command a higher price, often exceeding 2 million VND. However, they come equipped with advanced technologies, sturdy rubber or metal protective casings. Despite this, due to increasing demand and decreasing production costs, many high-capacity drives remain reasonably priced.
Insights for Purchasing Portable Hard Drives:
Reputable brands ensure a reasonable price point for quality portable hard drives. Western Digital, Seagate, Sandisk, and Toshiba stand out in delivering a good balance between price and drive quality.
During the course of operation, inevitably, there will be times when the hard drive encounters issues. At such moments, it is essential to check the hard drive's condition. Generally, Windows provides basic tools for checking the hard drive, but you can use software such as CrystalDiskInfo, HDD Scan, and HDD Health for more detailed inspections. Notably, some software like CrystalDiskInfo, HDD Health, and HDD Renegator also integrate effective capabilities for protecting and repairing mobile hard drives. Among them, CrystalDiskInfo is considered one of the most outstanding tools for checking the status and safeguarding the hard drive today.
