Do poczytania

Hard disk is one of the most important components of every computer and laptop. Only a dozen or so years ago HDD magnetic discs were the most popular. However, it turns out that for some time you can also stock up on external SSD drives , which are distinguished by a much faster speed of operation and reliability at a previously unknown level. In today’s article, we explain why you should buy external SSD drives and how they work. We invite you to read carefully!

 

Hard disk – an important component of the computer

Both computers and laptops must be equipped with hard drives. HDD type hard disks, which are equipped with magnetic data recording plates, have been enjoying great popularity for many years. Throughout their existence on the market, the producers only increased the amount of data that can be saved on them. In terms of technology, nothing has changed in HDDs for over 50 years.

At the moment, however, there is serious competition for HDD hard drives. These are external SSDs that practically beat them in every respect. The name of SSDs comes from the English language – Solid State Drive, which translates simply as a permanent disk. This name is probably about drives that are built on very similar principles to those mounted in USB sticks. USB sticks and SSD disks have no moving parts. This distinguishes them from DVD drives and HDD disks, which have a lot of moving parts, which can cause them to quickly fail. 

At the initial stage of research, external SSDs were to be designed for computers in which magnetic HDDs were too slow or too sensitive. Such computers were produced, for example, for very efficient servers and armies. The first SSDs were fitted with memory modules – the same as those used for all computers as operating memory. There was also a buffer battery installed there, which was responsible for ensuring that the entire content of the disk was intact even after the device was turned off. At present, external SSD drives look completely different. They have practically only flash memory. This type of memory allows you to save data without having to supply power. This is called non-volatile memory, which is different from RAM (RAM is erased each time the computer is turned off).

 

Where are SSDs used? 

SSDs are most commonly used in two types of devices. We are talking here about devices such as:

• portable computers – the presence of SSDs in laptops is no surprise today. Manufacturers are increasingly replacing classic HDDs with SSDs to attract the widest range of customers;
• servers – SSDs find a wide range of applications in server rooms due to the speed of operation. Devices that process thousands of queries in an instant must be equipped with the latest disk types.

 

What are the advantages of SSD drives?

SSD drives have a whole host of advantages compared to traditional disk drives. These include, among others:

• very fast transfer – modern external SSDs offer much higher transfer rates than traditional hard drives. Professional models used in server rooms can offer 1 GB of data per second. SSDs that are mounted in laptops for individual customers are also extremely fast. Data transfer is very fast thanks to the control electronics that use all memory modules at the same time. Hard disks each time work with one read / write head, and the pace depends on the number of revolutions and the diameter of the magnetic disk. The higher the number of turns and the larger the diameter, the faster the HDD is. For this reason, traditional 2.5-inch drives are noticeably slower than 3.5-inch drives used on PCs. A fast SSD can be built even in a 1.8-inch format, and its speed will still be very satisfactory and will not be reduced;
• quick access to data collected by the user – SSD memory modules allow you to save and read data without any delay. Access can be obtained even after tenths of a millisecond. In traditional disks, the mechanical system first sets the read / write head over the place where you want to save or read the files. Normal hard drives need 8 to 15 milliseconds to read or write, so they’re a hundred times slower compared to SSDs;
• low power consumption – memory modules used in SSDs consume significantly less electricity than traditional HDDs. Thanks to this, you can get a slightly longer working time on the laptop without connecting it to the power supply;
• high resistance to mechanical damage – SSDs are very resistant to shocks and light impacts. In the case of HDDs it is completely different – they are very poorly resistant to damage, which is why they often fail.