Hard Disks

A hard disk is an essential computer part that stores all the necessary data and information about any application or activity performed. This hardware is technically known as the “electro-mechanical data storage device.” Like a standard external hard drive, it also uses magnetic storage to save or retrieve information using magnetic heads.

IBM introduced the hard disk in 1956. Since then the HDDs became a dominant secondary storage device. Historically speaking, more than 224 companies have produced HDDs. However, very recently, the traditional HDD is facing a decline in popularity because of the SSD. However, no matter the type or size of the drive, it is a must-have for processing. From laptops to desktop computers , the hard disk drive is a core element in all. It is where all our data is stored for the long run. It includes all types of files, videos or images you save. Plus, all the software’s that help you do the processing. With the advancement in the idea, there are different types of hard disks available in the market now. Today’s discussion is a guide to help the newcomer about the idea of HHD and its uses.

A beginner’s guide on types of hard disk drives

A computer is of no use if it cannot store any data or remember anything. To do so, it needs a hard drive. It means that a hard drive is of crucial importance for any computer device to work. Hard drives are dynamic storage devices and come in different forms. However, you need to worry about just a few of them for common office or home use. There are two types of hard drives; internal and external. An internal hard drive is the primary storage device attached directly to your computer device’s motherboard. On the other hand, external devices are temporary memory drives connected to the computer with a USB port. Here are some common types of internal and external hard disk drives available in the market.

A common built-in hard disk drive (HDD)

The HDD is the common and most dominant type of digital storage device. They exist since the early days of computers. HDD consists of a metallic disc that is made with non-magnetic materials. This disc is coated with a thin layer of magnetic material. The digital data is stored on this magnetic film. A typical hard disc operates at a speed of 7,2000 rotations per minute. You can find this number in the section of the technical specifications of the disk. Generally, a hard disk drive lasts for years. However, at times it fails due to external forces, drops or head crash. Likewise, if for any reason the magnetic film gets hurts, the hard disk will be lost. Any such event will also result in a loss of data written on it.

The SATA Hard Disk

These disks are a replacement for the PATA drives in both laptop and desktop computers. A major physical difference between a SATA and PATA is the interface. Still, the method of connecting them to the computer remains the same. SATA drives vary in both capacity and price and surely have a lot of capabilities. It is also important to look at the storage capacity of the drive while buying. However, more attention is needed to be paid to the connecting ports. These drives come with a 7-pin data connection. However, the disk of these drives does not share bandwidth as there is only one disk per controller chip on the motherboard. However, comparatively, these drives consume lesser power.

A common external hard drive

Apart from different types of built-in hard drives, many external portable hard discs are available in the market now. Usually, you can find two types of external drives, namely an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). Unlike an internal disk drive, these devices are connected from outside using a connecting cable. Some specific types of external drives draw power over the data cable. Obviously, this power comes from the computer itself. Meanwhile, others need an AC wall connection to drive power. Usually, these drives are used for keeping a backup of essential data or for transporting a large amount of data from one place to another.

2TB hard disk or Seagate backup drive

As we are speaking of data backup and external storage, it is important to mention some possibilities. Mostly the new users face the difficulty of keeping their data on a single slot. The reason is either the lack of knowledge or the space available. A 2 TB hard disk is an answer to all the backup and data storage needs for all such people. External hard disks like Seagate backup drives come with massive space; thus, you can keep a large amount of data secure in one place. The professional prefers using one of the said options to store larger files for ease of access and speed. Such hard disks are easily available in the online market with easy buying terms and economical prices.