External hard drives can be very useful for transferring data from one computer to another, if you frequently need to transfer data, or if you need a medium for transferring data from your camera when you don't have access to a computer or laptop. An excellent solution may be to choose an SSD drive. But if you need storage with a large capacity and at a low price, then you will have to go with an HDD. You can find hard drives up to 4TB.
Most external hard drives run over USB and are powered by your computer, so you don't need to connect them separately to your network. In this article, we'll look at the best external hard drives of 2019 that you can buy for your computer. But first, let's discuss what you need to pay attention to when choosing.
The choice of a specific model will depend on your needs and the purposes for which you want to use this device. Let's look at the main categories.
1. Capacity
The smallest external drives are 128 GB in size, which is enough to store music and videos, or create backup copies of very important data and the operating system itself. You can even create a complete copy of your computer's hard drive and restore it if necessary. The most popular solutions for such tasks are 1 TB disks.
2. Performance
Most external hard drives are connected via USB. The previous version of USB 2.0 is a thing of the past and now most devices use a fast USB 3.0 connection. In some cases, you can get write speeds of up to 100 MB/s, read speeds will be the same, while speeds for USB 2.0 will be limited to 35 MB/s. It is worth noting that you will get this speed for large files, small files will be processed more slowly. The fastest SSDs can provide speeds of up to 1500 MB/sec.
3. Protection
Damage protection is very important for external hard drives. You will be moving and transporting them very often, so you need to be sure that nothing will happen to the data. Please note the impact tests performed. SSD drives are more durable and can withstand drops because there are fewer moving parts.
4. Security
The larger the disk, the more data can be stored on us and the more valuable information an attacker will have if it is stolen. There are two ways to protect data - use hardware or software encryption. Nowadays, many hard drives and solid-state drives already support hardware encryption.
Best external hard drives 2019
1. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC
This is a great external hard drive from Buffalo. In addition to standard functionality, such as USB 3.0 connectivity, it supports NFC technology. Your data is stored in a shock-resistant case, and it also supports 256-bit AES encryption for improved security. Price: $125.
2. Western Digital My Passport 4TB
Western Digital's new generation of My Passpor external hard drives have options ranging from 1TB to 4TB. It supports AES 256 encryption and has WD's own backup software.
The drive has excellent data transfer speeds and outperforms many of its competitors. It is far from the speeds of an SSD, but it’s a regular hard drive.
3. Seagate 5TB Expansion
The Seagate 5TB Expansion is larger, but you get more memory for the same price. There is 64 MB of fast cache and the necessary external power supply for operation. The drive produces 7200 rpm, which is a very good result for external drives.
4. Freecom mHDD Slim 1TB
This is a terabyte external hard drive that has a beautiful and stylish appearance. It is made in an aluminum case, only 9 mm thick and weighs 150 g. The disk also has good read and write speeds. Freecom mHDD Slim is capable of delivering 5400 rpm, which is much slower than the options discussed above. Read speed 124 MB/sec.
5. Seagate Innov8 8TB
It is also worth mentioning the Seagate InnoV8 line. This 2019 external hard drive has a standard 3.5mm size and does not require an external power source to operate. Another feature of this drive is the use of a USB Type-C connection interface. The disc also has a beautiful metal casing.
6. Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive 5TB
If you need a fast, high-capacity drive, Seagate Backup may be a great solution. It comes in sizes up to 8TB and beats the competition in read and write speeds. The drive is connected using USB 3.0
7. Maxtor M3 4TB
This is an external hard drive that works without an external power supply and connects to a USB 3.0 interface. This is the largest 2.5" drive you can find. It comes with a three-year warranty and a beautiful body.
8. Western Digital My Passport Ultra Metal 2TB
WD produces hard drives to solve various problems. The MyPassport series is intended for consumers. The disk body is made of metal, but only the upper part, the bottom is only plastic. Read and write speed is 114 MB/sec.
9. LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive 4TB
This external hard drive supports both USB 3.0 and Type-C connections. Which already makes it an interesting solution. The disk consists of five magnetic plates of 800 GB each and has a form factor of 15 mm. The casing frame is made of aluminum to protect the disc from impacts.
10.IStorage diskAshur 2TB
This drive is ideal for governments and various organizations that care about data security. It supports 256-bit AES encryption, and if anyone tries to interfere, there is physical protection. You can even set up automatic data destruction in case of a hacking attempt. But it costs more than other options. But you won't be able to access your data. This is the best external hard drive 2019 with security feature.
11. Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB
Wondering what is the best external hard drive to buy in 2016? In this article we have collected the five best external disk drives in terms of price/quality ratio
Today, external hard drives are very popular for storing important data. They are also very useful for creating a backup of data. They are portable and easy to use. At the same time, today the market is more crowded than ever before with all sorts of options for external hard drives. On the one hand, this is good news: you have plenty to choose from. On the other hand, with a huge selection comes the headache of determining what to buy.
5. Seagate Backup Plus Slim
This is the best external storage device available on the market: its parameters include a USB 3.0 interface, a capacity of 2 terabytes, a 2-year warranty, dimensions - 113 mm (4.4'') in length, 76 mm (3.0'') in width , and weighs 159 g. This is the thinnest available storage device with a capacity of 2 TB. Plus, it has a very elegant design. Since it supports USB 3.0, its data transfer speed is amazing. The metal structure makes the disc stronger and more beautiful. This is a really fast storage device. But the best part about it is that when you purchase it, you also get backup software, as well as a subscription to 200GB of Microsoft One Drive online storage for two years.
The downside of this drive is the lack of security options, since it does not have built-in software that would help prevent unauthorized access to data. Besides, a two-year warranty on it is not enough. But overall, the disc is very good.
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB drive is available in four colors: silver, blue, red and black. The design is very elegant and the disc is very nice to look at. When first used, it is formatted in the NTFS file system, and is therefore fully compatible with Windows. In order for it to work on MAC OS, you just need to load the NTFS driver, and then there will be no need to format the disk again.
4.
The Transcend StoreJet 25M3 drive is another cool external storage device available in the market. Its best features are shock resistance and ultra-high data transfer speeds via USB 3.0. Some of its outstanding features include: shock resistance, USB 3.0 as well as USB 2.0 compatibility, shockproof rubber outer casing, reinforced internal hard drive suspension, one-touch backup, folder encryption, dedicated Transcend Elite data management software – and the last, but not the least important, option in the form of a quick connection recovery button on the rear panel.
This button makes it easy for you to reconnect after you have safely removed the hard drive from the system: if you want to reconnect the drive, just click this button. And there is no need to disconnect or reconnect the USB connector.
The operating voltage of the drive is 5 V direct current via the USB port, the drive type is SATA 2.5’’ hard drive. After 10 minutes, the drive goes into power saving mode. Another good option here is the one-click backup option. The disc comes with a three-year warranty.
For those who want to have all their files - music, full collection of high-resolution videos, etc. - in one place, there is no better or more suitable product than this.
3.
WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive (2 TB) – 2 TB capacity, USB 3.0 interface, dimensions 3.2 inches (81.2 mm) wide and 4.4 inches (111.8 mm) thick, data transfer interface at 5.0 Gbps speed via USB 3.0. Plus, it's compatible with Windows, includes a 30-day trial of the software, and is pre-formatted with NTFS.
The drive gives you a lot of storage for a very low price. Its design is very simple and pleasant to look at. The downside of this product is the trial version of the software and lack of security options as it does not have built-in software to protect data from unauthorized access. The company provides a one-year warranty, which is very low compared to other external hard drives available in the market. But it is the cheapest 2TB drive available on the market.
For those who want to have all their files - music, full collection of high-resolution videos, etc. - in one place, there is no better or more suitable product than this.
Its simple design is cool. While this external hard drive isn't nearly as fast as the SeaGate, at such a low price it's well worth the price. Its simple interface allows it to be used both as a backup device and as a gaming console. When first used, it is pre-formatted with the NFTS file system, so the drive is compatible with Windows.
2.
This is another best product available in the market. Features include USB 3.0, 2TB of storage, a maximum transfer speed of 5Gbps, password protection software, and WD Smart Ware software that's compatible with the Windows platform. The height and width of the disc are 0.8 and 3.2 inches (20.3 and 81.3 mm), respectively, and it comes with a 3-year warranty.
Compared to its predecessor, this external hard drive is faster to use. Since every user always wants to have security options to protect their data from unauthorized access, the makers of this device have solved the problem so that along with the drive you get built-in software whose password protects the storage device from such access.
The disc is available in four colors: titanium, black, blue and red. The downside is the pricing: in order to get this external memory device, you will have to pay a little more. Compared to other products available in the market, this drive is a little expensive.
For those who want to have all their files - music, full collection of high-resolution videos, etc. - in one place, there is no better or more suitable product than this.
This disc is very light in weight and pleasant to look at. It is pre-formatted with the NTFS file system. The drive is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, but for best performance it is recommended to use it with USB 3.0. What's nice about its WD Smart Ware Pro software is that it works with external hard drives from other vendors as well.
1.
By purchasing this external hard drive, you get the following features: 2 TB of memory, 1 year warranty, USB 3.0 interface. The height, width and thickness of the disc are 14.8 mm (0.6’’), 80.0 mm (3.15’’) and 117.0 mm (4.6’’) respectively, and it weighs 0.17 kg.
The data transfer process in it is very simple, fast, concise and efficient. You can simply drag and drop your files via the USB 3.0 interface. The drive is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, but for more efficient operation it is recommended to use it with USB 3.0. The memory capacity is enough to store 2000 hours of digital video. It's pre-formatted and you don't need any software to configure the drive or install its driver. The Seagate device itself does all this. When the drive is connected, it automatically detects the operating system. It has built-in power management software to ensure energy efficient operation.
The downside to this drive is that it lacks security features: it doesn't have built-in software to help prevent unauthorized access to data. The one year warranty on it doesn't seem to be enough either. But overall, this is a good disc. The design is very elegant and the disc is nice to look at. When first used, it is formatted with the NTFS file system, so the drive is compatible with Windows. To make it work on MAC OS platform, you just need to download the NFTS driver and there is no need to reformat the drive again.
When choosing a computer or laptop, you have to pay attention to many parameters. It would seem that it is not difficult to figure out what kind of video card, processor or memory should be. The difficulty is that each of the parameters has its own characteristics. For example, you need to pay attention to its volume, speed or connection interface.
Choosing any device, especially one related to a PC, requires very careful analysis. But what if you have chosen a great laptop, but its only drawback is a small amount of memory? The best manufacturers of external hard drives have taken care of this.
For what?
It's rare that you can buy a PC that suits you in absolutely every aspect. Sooner or later, “pitfalls” appear that you had not noticed before. It happens that the video card is outdated, it happens that there is not enough memory. By the way, in this case there is one nuance. The fact is that some users can load the computer with different programs. To meet their storage needs, you need to buy a new hard drive.
But there are times when the user works with a large amount of material. This could be an editor or a photographer who needs to create their own archive. In this case, you can buy an external one. We will look at the reliability rating a little later, but now we will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of these devices, as well as the reasons for their appearance.
Why?
An external hard drive appeared along with the fear of data loss. Many specialists were faced with the fact that they did not have enough flash drives to store information. Buying countless numbers of them is inconvenient. Previously, they were replaced by floppy disks and disks, but now this option is even worse. As a result, an external hard drive appeared when a memory capacity of more than 500 gigabytes was needed, and ideally 1 terabyte.
The reason for the fear of losing information was the spread of viruses, Trojan horses, spyware and other things that could erase all important and necessary materials. External hard drives have become a lifeline in this situation. Their volumes could be large enough to contain not only important documents, but also your favorite multimedia files.
Reliability and durability
Such devices have many advantages. It doesn’t matter at all what kind of external hard drive you have - 500 GB or 2 terabytes. It all depends on your preferences. Its main advantage is its large memory reserves. I am also pleased with his cooperation with PC. You don't need to look for additional software to be able to connect a hard drive. Depending on the cable interface, you connect the wire with the correct connector. On the computer, the device is identified as an external drive. You have full access to all information.
By the way, the disk can also be protected from prying eyes. Unlike the integrated hard drive, this one can not only be ruined, but also simply hidden somewhere away in the desktop. Also, as mentioned earlier, together with an external hard drive, the user is protected from any threat. For example, you were working with important documents and you need them to remain available. You can copy them to a hard drive, and in the event of a virus attack on your PC, all important information will remain intact.
By the way, there is one more advantage. The external hard drive, the reliability rating of which we will find out very soon, has a very robust case. In general, the device consists of the hard drive itself and its durable box. Depending on the type, your hard drive will be protected to one degree or another from external influences and wear.
Well, the last significant advantage is the structuring of information. Like a regular hard drive, an external one can also be divided into blocks in which information is stored. It is also easy to recover data from it, and to prevent the loss of materials from the internal HDD, they can be easily transferred to an external one.
Flaws
There is also a main drawback, which is the 1 terabyte external hard drive. The price is sometimes very high. This is due to many reasons: sometimes it is artificially increased, sometimes due to the popularity of the brand. Although, buying a 1 terabyte hard drive will still cost you less than purchasing 30 32 GB flash drives.
The more careful the user treats the external hard drive, the longer it will live. Premature failures are often associated with external damage, especially during transportation. Somewhere it was accidentally knocked, somewhere it was dropped - sectors are damaged and data is lost.
The same story applies to files that end up on the hard drive. If they are already damaged, once they enter the device's memory, viruses can spread and destroy all data.
Types of external drives
To choose a quality product, you need to thoroughly study the external hard drive you like. Volume is not the only parameter by which you can decide on a model. You should pay attention to the types of HDD.
The first type is different in that its size is 3.5 inches. This is usually purchased by desktop PC owners. Unlike the second type, it has larger dimensions, so it needs additional power. Nevertheless, this option is considered excellent. Its main feature remains the possibility of automatic backup.
The second type is more compact - only 2.5 inches. It encourages you to always be at hand. This external device is very strong. The reliability rating is always topped by devices of this particular type. This is due to the fact that they have excellent impact resistance. If it accidentally falls out of your pocket, it will not suffer much. The case may be scratched, but your information will remain safe. Although there are limits to everything: if you hit him well with a hammer, then, most likely, you can say goodbye to him.
The most reliable
Many experts have repeatedly checked leading hard drive manufacturers. They found that at the moment the most reliable hard drive remains the device from Hitachi. In addition to the fact that this fact is confirmed by the opinions of users, a certain number of models from this company were also analyzed. The test results showed that the Hitachi can only be damaged if it is handled carelessly. Otherwise, no manufacturing defects or weak components were found.
It's not necessary once at a time
It is worth paying attention to other companies that produce external and internal railways. Seagate is now considered the main “loser” in terms of reliability. The developers created the disk design in a short time, which affected the quality of the product. The main problem with this company's hard drives is weak nodes. There is also evidence that there is a fairly large percentage of defects in the series. There are goods that have not lasted more than a year.
In general, a common problem that external hard drives from Western, Samsung, Seagate and others have encountered is chip failure. This affects the operation of the computer, it begins to slow down and freeze. If you restart the PC, the disk disappears from the system. This means that its microcode has already been destroyed.
There is also a problem with the motor spindle wedge in some batches. Typically, such a breakdown occurs on a HDD that has a large amount of memory. In this case, a larger number of magnetic plates are used in the design. They overload the hard drive axis, under their weight it bends and then stops rotating. This doesn't happen naturally. It is enough to accidentally snag the hard drive or drop it once. You can notice such a breakdown by listening to the noise of the HDD. Usually it starts to “buzz” sharply.
Very fragile
The WD 2Tb external hard drive also failed the user more than once. Due to the large amount of memory, these products have a load of magnetic plates on the axis, so they often do not last more than a year. They also have malfunctions in the magnetic heads. This is due to the fact that the disk overheats or receives external damage.
In general, the design of any HDD from this company is very flimsy. The WD Elements external hard drive is shock and pressure sensitive. By the way, if you apply force to the case, the cover moves, and the magnetic heads are at a low angle to the magnetic plates. Such a breakdown will immediately “bury” all your information on the hard drive. However, Western Digital is popular among buyers. These shortcomings are observed quite rarely. Basically, most models are reliable in terms of mechanics and electronics.
500 GB option
Recently, a huge number of external hard drives have appeared on the market. They are produced by different companies, and even those companies that are unfamiliar to anyone now become sales leaders. A 500 GB external hard drive is the simplest and most common option among users. Its main advantage is the price.
There are two models in this category that are now considered leaders in reviews and sales. For just 3,800 rubles you can purchase the ADATA DashDrive Durable HD650. The main highlight of this railway is its structural strength. In addition, the device has an interesting and attractive design: bright colors and carbon inserts.
For reliability, this drive has a three-layer rubberized casing, thanks to which it can absorb shocks during use and transportation. The plastic is quite durable and minimizes scratches.
This model is based on the famous Toshiba railway. Its speed is 5400 rpm. The Winchester turned out to be very compact and light. Information exchange can occur at a maximum speed of 120 Mb/sec. There is a status indicator, as well as a USB 2.0 interface.
The second model in the category of inexpensive external hard drives is Western Digital WDBLNP5000A-EEUE. He has a very cute appearance. Inside there is a branded hard drive from the manufacturer. Rotation speed - 5400 rpm. Buffer capacity 8 megabytes. The data transfer speed is the same as the previous device. The drive works with a USB 3.0 interface. There is a status indicator. Unlike the previous model, the device is sold together with software for diagnostics and maintenance. The price of such a device is 5300 rubles.
Universal drives
Next, we'll look at a 1 terabyte external hard drive. Its price is on average 4-6 thousand rubles. Among all, Silicon Power Stream S03 now stands out. The railway has an interesting design. Outwardly, it is very similar to a notebook with rounded sheets and a curved upper corner. This is where the work indicator is located. To exchange information through this drive, you can use USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interfaces.
The case materials are quite durable. It is made of high-quality plastic, the surface is matte, so it attracts fingerprints and dust less. The shell has rubber seals that protect against impact. At the moment, this is the best external drive among terabyte versions for only 4,300 rubles.
Among the disks with a memory capacity of 1 terabyte, one can highlight Toshiba STOR.E SLIM. The design is nothing remarkable. The appearance is classic, compact in size and metallic in color. The board has an integrated USB 3.0 or 2.0 interfaces that function by displaying the operating status in blue and white, respectively. Speed up to 110 Mb/sec.
The drive has durable materials that increase its shock resistance. You can also protect the device from prying eyes by setting a password and setting up automatic The main advantage of this hard drive is its heat resistance and quiet operation. But the lack of hardware encryption is bad news. The price of this device is 4800 rubles.
Giants
For some, one terabyte will not be enough; for such people, a 2 TB Toshiba CANVIO ALU external hard drive was created. The body is made of aluminum, there are 4 colors of the device. It has a rough coating, due to which it does not slip out of your hands. The design has a shock sensor, which increases the integrity of stored materials. Transfer speed is about 115 Mb/sec. The main advantage of this drive is the build quality. In addition, it runs very quietly, does not overheat, and is also available with a backup utility. Its cost is 6600 rubles.
There is another model of the same volume from Western Digital WDBU6Y0020BBK-EESN. It is slightly cheaper than the previous drive. It looks quite simple too. It has a shock-resistant body and rough high-quality plastic. Works with a speed of 120 Mb/s and a USB 3.0 interface. Its main advantage: quiet and low temperature during active work.
Giant
But the Seagate Backup Plus Fast Portable Drive is now considered a revolutionary drive. Its volume is as much as 4 terabytes. Its main task is considered to be fast backup. It can also serve as an excellent archive for important files. Its real data transfer speed is now considered uncompromising - 220 Mb/sec. This is due to the fact that two hard drives were placed inside at once.
This decision also affected the dimensions of the device: 307 grams is quite a lot for external storage. Works with USB 3.0 interface. Can collaborate with two devices at once. This external hard drive also has disadvantages: noticeable heating and a very high price - 25 thousand rubles.
Among the users there were also dissatisfied ones. Many who encountered this model complained about the slowdown in operation. Moreover, if you can write information to the device without problems, then reading it is more difficult. The launch of a proprietary recovery program indicated damaged sectors. As mentioned earlier, those from Seagate are currently the most unreliable. This is especially true for devices with large amounts of memory. Therefore, you can often come across negative reviews about Seagate Backup Plus Fast Portable Drive from users.
Results
Nowadays it is difficult to determine which external hard drive is better to buy. Creating a reliability rating is also not easy. This is due to the fact that the equipment is not always of high quality. Some devices arrive defective. The average survival rate of an external disc is about 3-4 years. But not all companies can achieve such indicators. Devices from Hitachi and some younger Western Digital models usually last more than five years.
Good day.
Hard drive (hereinafter HDD) is one of the most important parts of any computer or laptop. All the user’s files are stored on the HDD, and if it fails, then restoring the files is quite difficult and not always feasible. Therefore, choosing a hard drive is not the easiest task (I would even say that it is impossible to do without a certain amount of luck).
In this article, I would like to talk in “simple” language about all the main parameters of a HDD that you need to pay attention to when purchasing. Also at the end of the article I will provide statistics based on my experience on the reliability of certain brands of hard drives.
And so... You come to a store or open a page on the Internet with various offers: dozens of brands of hard drives, with different abbreviations, with different prices (even despite the same volume in GB).
Let's look at an example.
Seagate SV35 ST1000VX000 hard drive
1000 GB, SATA III, 7200 rpm, 156 MB, c, cache memory - 64 MB
Hard drive, Seagate brand, 3.5 inches (2.5 is used in laptops, they are smaller in size. PCs use 3.5-inch drives), capacity 1000 GB (or 1 TB).
Seagate hard drive
1) Seagate - hard drive manufacturer (about HDD brands and which ones are more reliable - see at the very bottom of the article);
2) 1000 GB is the volume of the hard drive declared by the manufacturer (the actual volume is slightly less - about 931 GB);
3) SATA III - disk connection interface;
4) 7200 rpm - spindle rotation speed (affects the speed of information exchange with the hard drive);
5) 156 MB - disk reading speed;
6) 64 MB - Cache memory (buffer). The more cache, the better!
Hard drive specifications
Disk capacity
Basic characteristics of a hard drive. The volume is measured in gigabytes and terabytes (previously, many did not even know the word): GB and TB, respectively.
Important note!
Disk manufacturers "cheat" when calculating the capacity of a hard drive (they count in the decimal system, but the computer uses the binary system). Many novice users do not know about this calculation.
On a hard drive, let’s say, the capacity declared by the manufacturer is 1000 GB, but in fact, its actual size is approximately 931 GB. Why?
1 KB (kilo-byte) = 1024 Bytes - this is in theory (how Windows will count);
1 KB = 1000 Bytes is what hard drive manufacturers think.
In order not to bore you with calculations, I will say that the difference between the real and declared volume is approximately 5-10% (the larger the disk volume, the greater the difference).
Basic rule when choosing HDD
When choosing a hard drive, in my opinion, you need to be guided by a simple rule - “you can never have too much space and the larger the disk, the better”! I remember a time, 10-12 years ago, when a 120 GB hard drive seemed huge. As it turned out, after a couple of months I began to miss it (although there was no unlimited Internet then...).
By modern standards, a disk with a capacity of less than 500 GB - 1000 GB, in my opinion, is not even worth considering. For example, prime numbers:
10-20 GB - installation of the Windows 7/8 operating system will take;
1-5 GB - installed Microsoft Office package (most users absolutely need this package, and it has long been considered basic);
1 GB - approximately one collection of music, such as “100 best songs of the month”;
1 GB - 30 GB - this is how much one modern computer game takes, as a rule, for most users, several favorite games (and there are usually several users on a PC);
1GB - 20GB - space for one movie...
As you can see, even a 1 TB disk (1000 GB) will be busy quite quickly with such requirements!
Connection interface
Hard drives differ from each other not only in volume and brand, but also in connection interface. Let's look at the most common ones today.
IDE- a once popular interface for connecting several devices in parallel, but today it is already outdated. By the way, my personal hard drives with an IDE interface are still working, while some SATA ones have already gone “to the next world” (although I treated both of them very carefully).
SATA- modern interface for connecting storage devices. The computer will be much faster when working with files using this connection interface. Today the SATA III standard is in force (bandwidth about 6 Gbit/s), by the way, it is backward compatible, therefore, a device that supports SATA III can be connected to a SATA II port (although the speed will be slightly lower).
Buffer volume
A buffer (sometimes simply called a cache) is a memory built into the hard drive that is used to store data that the computer accesses too often. Thanks to this, the speed of the disk increases, since it does not have to constantly read this data from the magnetic disk. Accordingly, the larger the buffer (cache), the faster the hard drive will work.
Nowadays on hard drives, the most common buffer is from 16 to 64 MB in size. Of course, it is better to choose the one with the largest buffer.
Spindle speed
This is the third parameter (in my opinion) that you need to pay attention to. The fact is that the speed of the hard drive (and the computer as a whole) will depend on the spindle rotation speed.
The most optimal rotation speed is 7200 rpm per minute (usually the following designation is used - 7200 rpm). They provide a certain balance between the speed of operation and the noise (heating) of the disk.
It is also quite common to find disks with a rotation speed 5400 rpm- they differ, as a rule, in quieter operation (no extraneous sounds, no grinding noise when moving magnetic heads). In addition, such disks heat up less, which means they do not require additional cooling. I will also note that such drives consume less energy (however, the average user is unlikely to be interested in this parameter).
Relatively recently, disks with rotation speeds appeared 10,000 rpm in a minute. They are very productive and are often installed on servers, on computers with high disk system requirements. The price for such disks is quite high, and in my opinion, there is little point in installing such a disk on a home computer...
Hard drive manufacturers. Which hdd is more reliable, which brand should I choose?
Today, sales are mainly dominated by 5 brands of hard drives: Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi, Toshiba, Samsung. It is impossible to say unequivocally which brand is the best, just as it is impossible to predict how long this or that model will work for you. I will continue to base myself on personal experience (I do not take any independent ratings into account).
One of the most famous hard drive manufacturers. If we take it as a whole, then among them there are both successful batches of discs and not so good ones. Usually, if the disc does not start to crumble in the first year of operation, then it will last quite a long time.
For example, I have a Seagate Barracuda 40GB 7200 rpm IDE drive. It is already about 12-13 years old, however, it works perfectly, like new. No rattles, no rattles, works quietly. The only drawback is that it is outdated, now 40 GB is only enough for an office PC that has a minimum of tasks (in fact, the PC in which it is installed is currently occupied).
However, with the release of Seagate Barracuda 11.0, this disk model, in my opinion, has deteriorated greatly. Quite often there are problems with them; personally, I would not recommend taking the current “barracuda” (especially since many of them are “noisy”)...
Now the Seagate Constellation model is gaining popularity - it costs 2 times more than the Barracuda. Problems with them are much less common (probably still early...). By the way, the manufacturer gives a good guarantee: up to 60 months!
Western Digital
It is also one of the most famous brands of HDD found on the market. In my opinion, WD drives are the best option today for installation in a PC. Average price with fairly good quality, problem drives do occur, but less often than Seagate.
There are several different "versions" of discs.
WD Green (green, you will see a green sticker on the drive body, see screenshot below).
These drives differ primarily in that they consume less energy. The spindle speed of most models is 5400 rpm. The data exchange speed is somewhat lower than that of drives with 7200 - but they are very quiet, they can be installed in almost any case (even without additional cooling). For example, I really like them because they are quiet; it’s nice to work on a PC whose operation you can’t hear! In terms of reliability, it is better than Seagate (by the way, there were not entirely successful batches of Caviar Green drives, although I personally have not encountered them).
WD Blue
The most common disks among WD, they can be installed on most multimedia computers. They are something between the Green and Black versions of the discs. In principle, they can be recommended for a regular home PC.
Reliable hard drives, probably the most reliable among the WD brand. True, they are the noisiest and get very hot. I can recommend it for installation on most PCs. True, it’s better not to install it without additional cooling...
There are also Red and Purple brands, but to be honest, I don’t come across them very often. I can’t say anything specific about their reliability.
Not a very popular brand of hard drives. There is one machine at work with this Toshiba DT01 drive - it works fine, there are no special complaints. True, the operating speed is somewhat lower than that of the WD Blue 7200 rpm brands.
Not as popular as Seagate or WD. But, to be honest, I have never encountered failed Hitachi drives (due to the fault of the drives themselves...). There are several computers with similar disks: they work relatively quietly, although they get warm. Recommended for use with additional cooling. In my opinion, they are one of the most reliable, along with the WD Black brand. True, they cost 1.5-2 times more than WD Black, so the latter are preferable.
Back in 2004-2006, the Maxtor brand was quite popular, there were even a few working hard drives left. In terms of reliability, they are below “average”; a lot of them “fly” after a year or two of use. Then Maxtor was bought out by Seagate, and there is really nothing more to tell about them.
That's all. What brand of HDD do you use?
Don’t forget that backup provides the greatest reliability. Best wishes!
Technologies are constantly evolving, and manufacturers are striving to make devices more compact and more functional. Data storage devices are no exception. Today, 1 and 2 TB flash drives are already available, something that could only be dreamed of a few years ago. But such solutions are very expensive, so most buyers prefer conventional hard drives.
By choosing a good external HDD, you can easily find a high-quality solution at an attractive price. If you need better transfer speeds and higher reliability, then you should take a closer look at SSD models. Our rating of the best external hard drives for 2018 – 2019 will help you choose the best option, in which we have selected both inexpensive options and premium segment models.
As noted above, if you need to obtain high writing and reading speeds, it is better to choose between external SSD drives and regular HDDs in favor of the former. Solid-state drives do not have moving parts, so they are less susceptible to falls, and the data transfer speed of such models is several times higher than even the most modern hard drives. Thus, the 128 GB Plextor EX1 model in question allows you to write and read information at speeds of 500 and 550 MB/s, respectively. Another advantage of the disk is its compactness. The thickness and width of the Plextor SDD is only 8.7 and 31.6 mm, and the weight is 30 grams. According to the manufacturer, a good portable drive EX1 can last up to 1.5 million hours. However, the price for all these advantages is quite high, especially taking into account the capacity of the SSD.
Advantages:
- baud rate
- small size and weight
- attractive design
- complete case
- great build
Flaws:
- high price
- no USB-C/USB-C cable included
The second place in the TOP 10 is occupied by a classic hard drive for reliable storage of information. The 500 GB HV620 model from ADATA will cost customers about 3,200 rubles, which is an excellent offer. The disk has a stylish and high-quality case (white or black), on which there is a small blue activity indicator. The hard drive is connected to the computer via USB (standard 3.0) in Type-A format. The dimensions of the ADATA computer drive are standard for a 2.5-inch device, and the spindle speed of the HV620 model is 5400 rpm.
Advantages:
- USB 3.0 standard
- reliable operation
- good speed
- robust housing
- stylish appearance
Flaws:
- glossy case
- cable is a bit short
Among the external hard drives on the market with a capacity of less than 500 GB, the MU-PT250B model from the South Korean brand Samsung deserves special attention. This is a 250 GB solid state drive with a 1.8-inch form factor. Thanks to its compactness, the device easily fits into any pocket and does not cause discomfort when worn, because its weight is only 51 grams. The drive has data protection (encryption) and supports 4 KB sectors. The MU-PT250B connects to laptops and computers via USB (3.1 standard) and can provide a maximum read and write speed of 450 MB/s. One of the disadvantages of this model is that it is equipped exclusively with a USB-A/USB-C cable, so to connect to Type-C ports the user will have to purchase an additional accessory.
Advantages:
- small dimensions and weight
- high data transfer speed
- modern USB Type-C port
- high-quality assembly
- the body is made of metal
Flaws:
- no USB-C to USB-C cable
- high price
STOR.E SLIM is Toshiba's fast terabyte external hard drive. The parameters of this model are standard for 2.5-inch HDDs: maximum transfer speed (plate-buffer) of 4800 Mbit/s, buffer size 8 MB, weight 155 grams, connection via USB standard 2.0 or 3.0. Among the distinctive features of the model under consideration, we can note a thin (12 mm) and high-quality aluminum case, as well as the manufacturer providing 10 GB of cloud storage to each buyer of the Toshiba STOR.E SLIM drive.
Advantages:
- aluminium case
- stylish design
- reliability in operation
- fast data transfer
- small disc thickness
- free cloud storage
Flaws:
- none
Another good 1 TB external hard drive is offered by the Silicon Power brand. The Stream S03 model is a well-built hard drive with an attractive design and a power saving mode. The device in question has standard dimensions and weight for 2.5-inch drives. In operation, a quiet hard drive for a laptop or computer demonstrates reliability, and the Stream S03 has a 3-year warranty period without a single problem, even under fairly harsh operating conditions. The spindle speed of this model is 5400 rpm, and the buffer size is 8 MB.
Advantages:
- attractive design
- fast data transfer
- connection via USB 2.0/3.0
- price-reliability ratio
Flaws:
- not detected
The sixth place on our list is occupied by the WD Elements Portable model from the famous company Western Digital. For the price, the presented external hard drive is the best in the category up to 1 TB and boasts fast operation. This model connects via USB 3.0 and boasts a durable plastic case. It is also worth noting that this is one of the lightest HDDs on the market – 130 grams. However, the WD Elements Portable drive is often unable to boast sufficient reliability. Sometimes users complain about the drive failing quickly, which may be due to manufacturing problems. However, non-defective copies can please you with long-term and uninterrupted operation.
Advantages:
- stable data transfer speed
- spacious
- high-quality assembly
- attractive design
Flaws:
- frequent marriage
- Possible heating during large data transfers
ADATA HV620 is one of the best 2TB external hard drives. There is no need to dwell on this model for a long time, because it is a complete analogue of the above model, including all its advantages and disadvantages. The difference is only in the increased volume, increased thickness (21 versus 15 mm) and greater weight (230 grams). During operation, the model in question demonstrates high reliability and excellent data transfer speed. However, this series of external drives for TVs, PCs and laptops
Advantages:
- strength and reliability
- operating speed
- low noise and no vibration
- excellent appearance
Flaws:
- glossy case
- short connection cable
silicon Power steamso3 2TB
Similar to the solution from ADATA, the best inexpensive external hard drive in the Stream S03 line only differs slightly from the younger model. First of all, the fast and best-reliable external hard drive has a capacity of 2 TB instead of 1 TB. But the connection standards, transmission speed, dimensions, number of plates and even weight in the model under consideration are completely similar to the device described above. Another difference between the older solution is that it is presented not only in black and white, but also in blue.
Advantages:
- attractive design
- warranty period 3 years
- high quality body
- high-quality assembly
- fast data transfer
Flaws:
- slightly overpriced
Seagate is one of the best drive manufacturers. In terms of quality and reliability, this brand surpasses most of its competitors. An excellent proof of this statement is the STDR4000200 model. This is a reliable device with a capacity of 4 TB, a spindle speed of 5400 rpm, a small thickness of 20.5 mm, and a weight of 246 grams. In terms of price-quality ratio, the Seagate STDR4000200 is an excellent choice for any task, be it working with graphic projects or storing your favorite movies.
Advantages:
- 4 color options
- good transfer speed
- small thickness
- suitable for a wide variety of needs
- availability of intuitive software
Flaws:
- flimsy housing cover
We couldn’t help but include a 4 TB drive from the Western Digital brand in our rating of external hard drives. The My Passport line is a reliable and high-quality device with data encryption function. The body of this model is made of durable plastic, which is available in white, black, blue, red, yellow and orange. The spindle rotation speed of My Passport 4 TB is 5400 rpm, and the HDD from Western Digital is connected to PCs, laptops, TVs and other devices via a USB port of standard 2.0 or 3.0.
Advantages:
- attractive design
- variety of colors
- reliable operation
- fast work
- encryption function
- no heating
Flaws:
- not detected
Which external hard drive should I buy?
When choosing a good external hard drive, you first need to rely on the tasks you will perform. So, for movie lovers who prefer to watch movies in 4K UHD resolution, you should take a closer look at capacious HDD models of 1 terabyte or more. Working with documents and simple projects, in turn, will not require much work. However, in this case, the speed that SSDs can provide may become an important indicator.
