【External Hard Disk Drive Recommendation 2023】How to choose External Hard Disk Drive | Notes | FAQ 2025-01-07 Portable Storage Drive, also known as a hard drive disk, is designed to be portable and easy to carry around. Laptops in general have limited capacity, so if you need to access a lot of data on the go, using an external hard drive is the most convenient way to go. There are many types of external hard drives on the market, but if you want to expand the most capacity at the lowest cost, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is one of the best choices. Click here to see all Portable HDD How HDD external hard drives work Considerations when selecting an HDD external drive Capacity Transmission method Operation System Other additional functions Frequently Asked Questions Can an external hard drive be used for long-term capacity expansion? How to extend the life of HDD external drives Recommendation 1. How HDD external hard drives work A hard disk drive (HDD) is composed of a platter with a compartment for data storage in between. It reads and writes data by means of a mechanical automatic cantilever across the platter. Just like a CD-ROM, the platter spins while the data is being read. An external HDD is simply a traditional hard drive with a protective casing so that users can carry it around with them. Most external hard drives are connected to a computer via a USB port to provide more space for file storage or backup, and because of their portability, users can share data with different computers easily. 2. Considerations when selecting an HDD external drive 2.1 Capacity As a hard drive, storage space is definitely a priority, and you should choose an external hard drive that suits your needs before buying one. If it is mainly used for storing paperwork or photos, a 1TB external hard drive may be sufficient for your needs, a 1TB external hard drive can store hundreds of thousands of photos, but if you need to store large amounts of data such as videos or game files, it is recommended to buy an external hard drive of 2TB or more. External hard drives are available in two sizes: 2.5" and 3.5". 2.5" external hard drives are mostly available in capacities ranging from 1 TB to 4 TB, while 3.5" external hard drives start at 3 TB. 2.5" external hard drives are suitable for carrying around and can be used immediately without a power connection, while 3.5" external hard drives are larger and require a power connection to be used, so they are mostly installed directly on office or home computers. However, because of the larger storage space, a 3.5" external hard drive can also be used to expand the capacity of a computer when the host computer is not convenient to add an internal hard drive. Users can choose the external hard drive that suits their needs before purchasing it, depending on the usage and the amount needed. 2.2 Transmission method External hard drives use USB to connect to the computer to transfer data, so the USB port is one of the important factors to consider. The USB ports on the market today can be divided into Type A and Type C, so you should make sure that the cable matches the specifications of your computer before purchasing. Although it is possible to purchase an adapter if the two specifications do not match, the adapter may reduce the data transfer speed, so it is recommended to confirm the USB port before purchasing. In addition, if you find the lightning pattern next to the Type C connector on your computer, it means that your computer supports Thunderbolt 3 high-speed transfer function, and if you purchase an external hard drive that is also equipped with Thunderbolt 3, you can experience faster data transfer speed. 2.3 Operation System Most external hard drives have a default format that is only suitable for Windows NTFS, so if you want to use on Mac you will need to format the drive and change it to HFS format before using it. If you want to use both, you need to format the external hard drive and change it to FAT32 or exFAT. 2.4 Other additional functions Data security protection features As external hard drives are mostly carried around, the risk of loss or theft is also higher. There are now many external hard drives on the market with security features that require users to enter a password to read the data, so that even if the external hard drive is unfortunately lost, the data inside is still safe. Data Restoration Services All electronic devices are subject to the risk of failure, and in order to avoid the sudden disappearance of data, it is recommended to choose external hard drives that offer data recovery services from the original manufacturer. In addition, some external hard drives are now equipped with a "failure prediction function" that automatically detects abnormalities or failures and then reminds users to repair or replace the external hard drive before it is damaged. 3. Frequently Asked Questions 3.1 Can an external hard drive be used for long-term computer capacity expansion? Not recommended, external hard drives are designed primarily for backup data and are not designed to be connected to a computer all day to read files, and prolonged connection and operation will easily cause damage to the disc. 3.2 How to extend the life of HDD external drives The most common cause of damage to external hard drives is due to collision damage to the platters, so it is recommended that external hard drives be used on a flat surface and not moved during use. It is also important to avoid reading and writing on the external hard drive for long periods of time, as prolonged power-on will also reduce the life of the external hard drive. 4. Recommendation span> LaCie Rugged USB-C 2Tb Portable Hard Drive #STFR2000800 The LaCie Rugged USB-C portable drive combines rugged durability with cutting-edge USB-C connectivity. The result is a secure vault for your data that’s compatible with the latest MacBook Pro models as well as other USB computers. It offers impressive storage capacity for its size, giving you plenty of space to store your digital present—and future. As a result, you can use the LaCie Rugged USB-C as a shuttle drive to transport footage from set to post-production or to store a huge Lightroom library.。 Seagate One Touch 1Tb Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive (Blue) #STKY1000402 Store and access photos and files on the go with Seagate One Touch HDD. Featuring quick plug-and-play USB 3.0 connectivity to Windows or Mac, consolidate files with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly or monthly backups. Plus — edit, manage, and share photos with a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a four-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud photography plan. WD MyPassport 2Tb Portable USB 3.2 Hard Drive (Black) The My Passport drive is trusted, portable storage that gives you the confidence and freedom to drive forward in life. With a new, stylish design that fits in the palm of your hand, there’s space to store, organize, and share your photos, videos, music, and documents. Perfectly paired with WD Backup™ software and password protection (Windows® only), the My Passport drive helps keep your digital life's contents safe. WD MyCloud-Home 4Tb 3.5" External Hard Drive My Cloud™ Home is an easy-to-use personal cloud storage device that plugs directly into your Wi-Fi® router at home so you can save all your digital content in one central place. Unlike a NAS, it's a simple centralized solution to back up your photos, videos and files, and have it stored in one place. With the My Cloud Home app, you can access, upload and share your content from anywhere with an internet connection. (Image Source︰Internet) The above information is for reference only Click here to see all Portable HDD
