A hard drive is one of the main components in a computer that is used to store data. It is a must to have a minimum of one hard drive to store all the programs, operating system and user information. In all the computers, there is usually an internal hard drive that is present. In today`s world, there is a change in needs, circumstances and threats thereby bringing about the need for an external hard drive.

Thanks to the maximum usage of the internet, the computer is affected by plenty of threats such as viruses, Trojan Horses and spyware. It seems to be very difficult to guard the computers from these threats despite the presence of antivirus and firewalls. Since many people use the same system, there is a chance that the PC gets corrupted thereby resulting in the loss of essential documents. Also, as the need of the hour has become videos, MP3s and photos, a large amount of space is required by the individual. The only way to handle all these needs and situations is by making use of an external hard drive.

The external hard drive is fitted outside the computer and has its own space. This device is portable and is connected to the system with the help of a cable. This cable enables the communication between the computer and the external hard drive so that the information is passed between the two. The very common interfaces available are Firewire and USB. One of the major advantages is that the external hard drive can be used on any system provided it has the Firewire or USB capability. This is the only requirement of the system to recognize the external storage device. There is not much difference between the external and the internal drives. These drives are usually not that expensive and hence can be purchased with ease. The price depends on the model, speed and memory space of the external hard drive.

Before choosing the model of the device, the individual has to be very clear about the data that would be stored. The memory space required may increase with time, so make sure the storage device that is purchased would cover the long term needs. Also, make sure the cache size of the drive is considered before the purchase. It is this factor that controls the speed in which the data is transferred and stored. The larger the size, faster is the transfer however the price also increases with increase in size. These days, external hard drives include a vent system that helps in the inflow of cool air into the heating areas of the drive. When the storage space is less than 300 GB, then the hard drives do not contain a cooling system. Hence try finding out a drive that has a switch which can be useful in turning on and off the device when not in use.

On an overall scale, buying an external hard drive is definitely a good investment. It is the best device that can be considered when the individual has to store large amount of data in a secured environment.

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Category: Computers and Technology
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