Choosing an external hard disk is not an easy thing because you have to really pay attention to its quality so it doesn't disappoint. So what are the things to consider when choosing a good external Hard Disk Drive (HDD)?
The need for Hard Disk Drive (HDD) external for laptop users is increasing day by day. This is of course masterminded by the limited capacity of the internal hard disk in the laptop. Moreover, the hard disk in a laptop is also more difficult to replace than a hard disk for a PC.
However, choosing the best external hard disk is not an easy thing because you have to really pay attention to its quality so that it doesn't get damaged easily. So what things should be considered when choosing a good external hard disk?
- 3 Tips for Caring for an External Hard Drive
- How to fix an external hard disk that asks for format
Tips for Choosing an External Hard Disk
For those of you who want to buy the best external hard disk, in this article JalanTikus reviews tips on choosing the best external hard disk so that it doesn't get damaged quickly.
1. System Operation
OS X and Windows operating systems use different file systems (HFS+ and NTFS) so most manufacturers also build external HDDs specifically for both platforms.
While OS X can read files on an NTFS-formatted hard disk, you can't edit or write to them. Therefore, make sure in which operating system the hard disk will be used.
2. Capacity
To find out how much hard disk capacity you need, try using this easy calculation: A 500 GB hard disk will hold about 100 thousand photos taken with a 6 MP camera and 125 thousand songs with 128 Kbps MP3 quality. Higher quality photos and music will of course require more capacity.
From this estimate you should be able to calculate how much capacity you need so you don't buy a hard disk with a lower capacity than needed.
Meanwhile, if you have more money, it is highly recommended to buy an external hard disk with a large enough capacity because you will definitely need it someday.
3. Rotation Speed
The next thing to consider is the rotational speed of a hard disk disk. The reason is, this greatly affects the speed of writing and reading data.
A hard disk that spins at speed 7200RPM will provide much better performance than a hard disk 5400 RPM. Even some of the latest hard disks are now capable of spinning at speeds 10,000RPM.
4. Connectivity
After you determine the capacity and speed of the hard disk you want, it is time to determine how the hard disk is connected to the computer. Currently, most hard disks use port USB for connecting to a computer, consisting of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
USB 3.0 is capable of delivering speeds of 5 Gbps which is much faster than USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps. Interestingly, USB 3.0 can also still be used on computers that only have port USB 2.0.
There are also hard disks that use a pass-through connection thunderbolt port which is able to deliver data speeds that are twice as fast as USB 3.0.
All the latest laptops and computers from Apple already provided thunderbolt port, and some laptops Windows also have started to provide it. Unfortunately, the price of a hard disk with a connection thunderbolt it's still very expensive for now.
5. Hard Drive Protector
The next thing to pay attention to is cover cover of the external hard disk. If you only use it at home or just take it to school, then a hard disk with a normal protector is enough because the price is cheaper.
But if you are an adventurer, then of course you have to choose a hard disk that is light and also has a strong protector from rubber or the like so that the hard disk is not easily damaged when bumped or exposed to shocks.
6. Features
The last thing you should pay attention to when choosing an external hard disk is its features. Some of the features that must exist on a hard disk include: backup and also password protection. There are also various other features that you can customize to your needs.
7. Warranty
Warranty is one of the things that must be considered when buying an external hard disk. We will never know when our external hard disk is damaged. By having a long warranty period, of course you don't need to be afraid when you experience damage to the external hard disk.
8. After Sales
After Sales or service points are also things you should pay attention to before buying an external hard disk. Buying an external hard disk from a large manufacturer, of course you can easily perform service when the external hard disk is damaged.
9. Hard Disk Size
One of the reasons many people buy external hard disks is because of their small size. If you buy an external hard disk that is large in size, of course it will be inconvenient for you when you want to access it.
What's more, external hard disks with large sizes usually require separate electrical power when you want to turn them on. The recommended external hard disk size for you to buy is 2.5".
10. Price
Other factors that you should consider before buying an external hard disk are price. Each external hard disk has a different price.
An external hard disk with a size of 1 TB is usually sold with prices starting from 800 thousand. As for the size of 2 TB or above, usually sold at a price above 1 million.
That's how to choose the best external hard drive for those of you who want to buy it. If there are other tips, don't forget to share them in the comments column. Good luck!
Also make sure you read the related articles hard drive or other interesting posts from Em Yopik Rifai.
