External Hard Drive HDDs

External hard drives (HDDs) are a brilliant solution for expanding either your PC or laptop's storage capabilities.

What is an external hard drive (HDD)?

An external hard drive (HDD) is a type of permanent storage device that connects to your desktop or laptop via a computer port. HDDs utilise moving magnetic disks to store data, instead of flash memory.

External hard drives allow you to expand your computer's non-volatile memory and are particularly beneficial for use as backup storage or bulk storage of media libraries. Additionally, because of their portability, external hard drives are also ideal for transferring data between devices and for users who need access to large datasets on the go.

External HDDs offer increased flexibility over internal HDDs, which are drives designed to be installed inside your computer's case, plugging directly into the motherboard. External HDDs are available as portable hard drives, or special external desktop hard drives.

What's the difference between an internal and external hard drive?

Both HDD types function using the same technology and are used for the same purpose - to expand your device's storage capacity. The main difference is how they are installed.

Internal hard drives are built into your computer's motherboard and are not designed to be easily removed. They offer advantages for certain users such as being protected from damage by the computer case and slightly faster read/write times for data transfer. However, they can be tricky to install and require opening up your computer case and slotting them into the motherboard.

External hard drives are designed for portability and plug into your computer via a port, usually either a USB-A or USB-C port. They can be connected with ease and without any PC build knowledge. External hard drives are better for those who need a simple, on-the-go storage solution like professionals and students.

What size hard drive do I need?

Choosing the Right Storage Capacity

Here's a quick overview to help you choose the ideal storage capacity based on your needs:

How many photos can a hard drive hold?

How many photos a hard drive can hold will depend on your images' file size - for example, a RAW file will take up considerably more space than a JPEG. If all of your images were 5MB, the following capacity hard drives could hold:

• 1TB HDD: 200,000 images
• 4TB HDD: 800,000 images
• 10TB HDD: 1.5 million+ images

How many games can you store on an external hard drive?

How many games a hard drive can hold will vary depending on the size of the game - with the latest AAA titles taking up considerably more storage space (up to 100GB) than older titles (20GB). If you're looking to store modern titles, the following capacity hard drives could roughly hold:

• 1TB HDD: 25 games
• 4TB HDD: 100 games
• 10TB HDD: 200+ games

Is buying a hard drive still worth it?

Although SSD and cloud storage solutions have become increasingly popular, there are definitely still benefits to purchasing an external HDD. HDDs can offer incredible capacity for very low costs compared to SSDs - making them a great choice for budget-conscious users and those needing bulk storage.

Additionally, unlike cloud storage, external HDDs offer complete control over your data without relying on an internet connection. For many users, especially those with large media libraries or those needing a portable solution that won't break the bank, an external hard drive is a great choice.

External Hard Drive FAQs

How much can a hard drive hold?

How much a hard drive can hold will depend on the capacity of the drive and the size of your files:

Does an external hard drive need a power supply?

Most external hard drives are powered through their direct connection to the computer, such as USB. However, larger drives may require an external power supply to function properly. Be sure to check the specifications before purchasing.

Are external hard drives compatible with all computers?

Most external hard drives are compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. However, ensure the drive is formatted correctly (NTFS for Windows, HFS+ for Mac) or consider reformatting it to exFAT for cross-compatibility.

How long does an external hard drive last?

With proper care, external hard drives can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years, or with light usage potentially even longer. Things like usage and the quality of the drive can impact its longevity. Regular backups and reducing wear and tear can extend the life of your hard drive.

Are hard drives slow?

While traditional hard drives (HDDs) can be slower than SSDs in terms of read/write speeds, they offer plenty of performance for most users, especially for tasks such as backing up files, storing photos, and gaming. If speed is a top priority, consider an SSD. But if you're looking for sheer capacity at unbeatable value, HDDs are the way to go.

Why buy from ebuyer?

Buying your new external HDD from ebuyer is a safe and reliable choice. With a huge range of external hard drives to choose from, we offer fast and secure delivery options, and flexible payment options - supporting thousands of happy customers with their new tech.

• Fast delivery
• Secure and safe delivery of computer parts
• Excellent customer reviews
• Flexible payment options