Discover everything about External Hard Drives: the complete guide

External hard drives are portable storage devices that play a vital role in our digital lives. They allow us to store a large amount of data, from documents and photos to videos and music, in a secure and accessible way. In this complete guide to external hard drives , we will provide you with all the information you need to understand what they are, how they work, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Before we dive into the details, it is important to understand why it is relevant to have a complete guide on external hard drives. In a digital world where the amount of information and data we handle is constantly growing, having a reliable storage device has become a necessity. Additionally, choosing the right external hard drive can make the difference between having fast and secure access to your files or facing data loss and slow transfer issues.

The objectives of this guide are:

1. Provide an overview of what an external hard drive is and its importance in data storage.
2. Explain the different types of external hard drives available on the market and compare their features.
3. Highlight the key factors to consider when purchasing an external hard drive, such as brand, operating system compatibility, and data security.
4. Offer advice and recommendations on how to optimally use and maintain an external hard drive.
5. Conclude by highlighting the importance of having an external hard drive as a storage solution and encouraging readers to choose the right one for their needs.

What is an external hard drive?

An external hard drive is an external storage device that connects to a computer or device using a cable or wireless connection. Unlike internal hard drives, which are installed directly into a computer, external hard drives are portable and can be easily moved from one location to another.

The main difference between an external hard drive and an internal one lies in its location and connection method . While an internal hard drive sits inside the computer and connects directly to the motherboard, an external hard drive connects through external ports, such as USB or Thunderbolt.

External hard drives offer several advantages, including:

• Portability: External hard drives are compact and lightweight, making them an ideal choice for taking your files with you when you're on the go.
• Additional Storage Capacity : External hard drives come in capacities ranging from a few gigabytes to several terabytes, allowing you to store a lot of additional data outside of your main computer.
• Ease of use: No advanced technical knowledge is required to use an external hard drive. Simply plug it into your computer and you can easily start transferring and accessing your files.

Types of external hard drives

There are different types of external hard drives on the market, each with its own features and benefits. The main types of external hard drives are:

1. Magnetic Hard Drive (HDD) : Magnetic hard drives use a magnetic recording mechanism to store data on rotating disks coated with magnetic material. These drives offer large storage capacity at a cheaper price, but their read and write speed is lower compared to other types of external hard drives.
2. Solid State Drive (SSD) : Solid state drives use flash memory to store data, making them faster and quieter than magnetic hard drives. While solid state drives are more expensive in terms of price per gigabyte, they offer higher transfer speeds and faster access times.
3. Solid State Hybrid Drive (SSHD) : Solid state hybrid drives combine a small amount of flash memory with a traditional magnetic hard drive. This allows for faster startup and loading of frequently used files and programs, while maintaining greater storage capacity for additional data.

It is important to keep in mind that choosing the type of external hard drive will depend on your needs and budget. Magnetic hard drives are ideal if you're looking for greater storage capacity at a more affordable price, while solid-state drives and hybrid solid-state drives are better suited if you value transfer speeds and quick access to your files.

Next, we are going to compare the main features and differences between the different types of external hard drives:

Comparison of types of external hard drives

As you can see in the table, each type of external hard drive has its own strengths and weaknesses. The choice of type will depend on your personal needs, as well as your budget.

Storage capacity

The storage capacity of an external hard drive refers to the amount of data it can store. It is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB), where 1 TB is equal to 1,000 GB.

Choosing the appropriate capacity will depend on your needs and the type of files you want to store. Below are the most common capacity sizes available on the market:

• 250 GB – 1 TB: These capacities are ideal for those who need to store documents, music files or a small collection of photos. They are economical and portable options.
• 2 TB – 4 TB: These capacities are ideal for those who need to store a large number of photos, videos or multimedia files. They are more expensive options, but offer greater storage capacity.
• 8 TB – 16 TB: These capacities are recommended for professional users or those who need to store a large amount of data, such as media libraries or video projects. They are more expensive options and generally require a separate power supply.

It is important to consider your current and future needs when choosing the storage capacity of your external hard drive. It is always better to opt for a larger capacity to avoid running out of space in the short term.

Transfer speed

Transfer speed refers to the speed at which data can be transferred to and from an external hard drive. This is an important factor to consider as it will affect how quickly you will be able to transfer your files.

The transfer speed is mainly determined by the connection interface used by the external hard drive. The most common connection interfaces are:

1. USB 2.0: This interface is the oldest and slowest. It provides a theoretical transfer speed of up to 480 Megabits per second (Mbps), but in practice the actual speed is lower.
2. USB 3.0: This interface is faster than USB 2.0 and is backward compatible. Provides a theoretical transfer speed of up to 5 Gigabits per second (Gbps). It is important to ensure that both the external hard drive and the port on your computer support USB 3.0 to take full advantage of this speed.
3. USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 1: These versions are faster than USB 3.0 and offer a theoretical transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps. As before, you should ensure that both the external hard drive and the port on your computer are compatible with these versions to get the most out of the speed.
4. Thunderbolt: Thunderbolt is a connection interface developed by Apple in collaboration with Intel. It offers a theoretical transfer speed of up to 40 Gbps, making it the fastest option available on the market today. However, Thunderbolt-compatible devices are typically more expensive, and their compatibility with other non-Apple computers may vary.

It is important to note that the transfer speed will also be influenced by the type of external hard drive you choose. Solid state drives (SSDs) typically have faster transfer speeds than magnetic hard drives (HDDs), although this may vary depending on the specific model.

Please note that the theoretical transfer speed is the maximum possible under ideal conditions , but in practice the actual speed may be lower due to several factors, such as the power of the computer, the quality of the cable used and the efficiency of the controller. the interface.

Factors to consider when purchasing an external hard drive

Brand and reputation

When choosing an external hard drive, brand and reputation are important factors to consider. Opting for a recognized brand with a good reputation in the market will give you confidence in the quality and performance of the product you are purchasing.

Some popular brands in the external hard drive market are:

• Western Digital (WD): WD is one of the best-known brands in the external hard drive market and offers a wide range of products in different capacities and types.
• Seagate: Seagate is another well-known brand that offers quality and durable external hard drives . They also have a wide variety of options in terms of hard drive capacity and type.
• Toshiba: Toshiba offers affordable and reliable external hard drives, with options to suit different storage needs.
• Samsung: Samsung is known not only for its consumer electronics products but also for its quality external hard drives.

These are just some of the most popular brands on the market. It is important to do your research and read reviews from other users to learn more about the reputation and quality of the products before making your final choice.

Compatible with your operating system

Another important factor to consider when purchasing an external hard drive is to make sure it is compatible with your operating system . The most common operating systems are Windows, Mac, and Linux, and some external hard drive models may be designed specifically for one of them.

Fortunately, most external hard drives are compatible with multiple operating systems, but it is important to check before purchasing. Be sure to check the external hard drive's specifications and manufacturer's recommendations to see if it is compatible with your operating system.

Here are some brands and models of external hard drives compatible with different operating systems:

• Western Digital My Passport (Windows and Mac compatible)
• Seagate Backup Plus (Windows and Mac compatible)
• Toshiba Canvio Basics (Windows compatible)
• Samsung T7 Portable SSD (compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux)

These are just a few options and it is advisable to check compatibility before purchasing.

Size and portability

Size and portability are important factors to consider when choosing an external hard drive . Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want a compact external hard drive that you can easily carry with you or a larger one that offers greater storage capacity.

External hard drive physical size is measured in inches and can range from compact 2.5-inch models to larger 3.5-inch models . Smaller external hard drives are ideal for those who need portability and transportability, while larger models are suitable for those who need greater storage capacity.

In addition to the physical size, you should also consider the weight and dimensions of the external hard drive . If you plan to carry your external hard drive with you frequently, it's important to choose a lightweight, compact model that won't be inconvenient.

Remember that in most cases, 2.5-inch external hard drives are more compact, lighter, and do not require an additional power supply, while 3.5-inch models are larger, heavier, and generally require a power supply. separate feeding.

So consider your portability and storage capacity needs before making a decision on external hard drive size.

Security and data protection

The security and protection of your data is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing an external hard drive. Depending on the sensitivity and confidentiality of the data you store on your external hard drive, you may want to ensure that it has adequate security and protection features.

Some common security features you can find on external hard drives are:

• Hardware encryption: Some external hard drives offer hardware encryption, meaning data is automatically encrypted before being stored on the drive. This helps protect your data in case the external hard drive is lost or stolen.
• Password access: Some external hard drives allow you to set a password to access your files. This prevents unauthorized people from accessing your data if your hard drive is lost or stolen.
• Additional security software: Some manufacturers include additional security software with their external hard drives, such as antivirus or data recovery tools . These programs can help you protect your data from external threats and, in case of problems, allow you to recover lost or damaged files.

Before making your purchase, check the security features offered by the external hard drive and make sure they meet your data protection needs.

How to use an external hard drive

Format the external hard drive

Before using an external hard drive for the first time, you need to format it. Formatting the hard drive will create the structure necessary for your operating system to recognize and use the external hard drive correctly.

The process to format an external hard drive may vary depending on the operating system you use. Below are the general steps to format an external hard drive on different operating systems:

Windows

1. Connect the external hard drive to your computer using the appropriate cable (USB, Thunderbolt, etc.).
2. Open "Computer" or "This computer" in your operating system and find the external hard drive.
3. Right click on the external hard drive and select “Format”.
4. Choose the file system you want to use (NTFS is recommended for Windows) and choose a name for the external hard drive.
5. Click “Start” and wait for the formatting process to complete.

Mac

1. Connect the external hard drive to your Mac using the appropriate cable (USB, Thunderbolt, etc.).
2. Open “Disk Utility” from “Applications > Utilities”.
3. Select the external hard drive from the device list on the left.
4. Click the “Delete” tab and choose a file format (APFS is recommended for macOS Sierra and later).
5. Click “Erase” and wait for the formatting process to complete.

Linux

The formatting process in Linux may vary depending on the distribution you use. See your distribution's specific documentation for detailed instructions.

It is important to note that formatting the external hard drive will delete all data stored on it, so be sure to back up your files before proceeding.

File backup and storage

One of the main reasons to use an external hard drive is to back up your important files. Here are some tips and tricks for backing up and organizing your files on an external hard drive:

• Create a folder structure: Organize your files into folders based on their type (documents, photos, videos, etc.) and create additional subfolders as needed.
• Schedule regular backups: Use backup software or tools native to your operating system to automatically back up your files to the external hard drive. Set a regular schedule for these backups and make sure they happen reliably.
• Encrypt your backups: If you have sensitive files on your external hard drive, consider using encryption tools to protect your backups. This will prevent unauthorized people from accessing your data if your hard drive is lost or stolen.
• Review and update your backups: Periodically, review your backups and update them with the most recent files. This will ensure that you always have an up-to-date copy of your most important data in case of problems or loss.

Remember to establish a regular routine for making your backups and follow file storage best practices to ensure you have quick and secure access to your data when you need it.

Maintenance and care

To keep your external hard drive in good condition and prolong its useful life, it is important to follow some maintenance and care recommendations:

• Avoid bumps and drops: External hard drives are delicate and can be easily damaged if they are bumped or dropped. Try to handle them carefully and avoid sudden movements when they are connected.
• Protect your external hard drive from humidity and extreme heat: Exposing your external hard drive to extreme heat or humidity conditions can damage its internal components. Keep it in a cool, dry place when not in use.
• Use a protective case: For additional protection, consider using a protective case to store and transport your external hard drive. These covers will help protect it from scratches and accidental damage.
• Perform regular error checks: Use disk diagnostic tools or error checking software to perform regular health checks on your external hard drive. These checks will allow you to identify potential problems before they become serious failures.
• Update Firmware: Make sure to keep your external hard drive's firmware updated. Firmware updates can fix compatibility issues and improve the overall performance of your external hard drive.

By following these recommendations, you can extend the life of your external hard drive and minimize the risk of data loss.

Conclusions

In short, external hard drives are portable and versatile storage devices that play a fundamental role in managing our data and digital files. In this comprehensive guide, we have explored the different types of external hard drives, the key factors to consider when purchasing one, and how to use them effectively.

We hope this guide has provided you with the information you need to fully understand external hard drives and make informed decisions when choosing the right one for your needs. Remember that it is always important to research and compare different brands and models before making your purchase.

Don't forget to explore more on this topic and check out the additional sources mentioned below to deepen your knowledge about external hard drives and keep your data safe and accessible at all times.

Sources

The following sources were used to produce this article:

• PCMag: "The Best External Hard Drives for 2021"
• Western Digital: «How to Choose an External Hard Drive»
• Seagate: “External Hard Drives Buying Guide”
• Toshiba: «External Hard Drives – What You Need To Know»
• Samsung: «Portable SSD T5 User Manual»

The article includes information and recommendations based on the author's research and experience, but should not be considered professional advice or a guarantee of performance of any specific product or brand.