SSD vs HDD: Which is better?
The HDD or Hard Disk Drive is a physical and integral part of computers and laptops responsible for data storage. Its memory is non-volatile. All data is recorded on magnetic discs, and the thinner the discs, the better the recording will be. That is why disks of the same size can have storage capacities very different from each other. Computers that normally use magnetic disks are desktop computers, All-In-One computers, laptops, and business servers. They need this type of discs to perform their functions that are usually more demanding than in tablets and smartphones.
The SSD is a bit different. Its acronym means Solid State Drive. Its construction is based on a semiconductor integrated circuit, made in a single block next to a controller that is in charge of managing all its components. Unlike the conventional hard drive, where storage is done on magnetic disks, the SSDs are capable of using flash memory, RAM memory or the controller itself. However, instead of a magnetic layer in the disks, the data is stored in the interconnected memory chips that retain the data even when there is no energy present. Smartphones, tablets, some digital cameras, and laptops are the devices that most use SSDs.
What are the differences and why a user may prefer one or the other?
Capacity:
SSD units with greater storage can be very expensive. While a TB is a basic standard for hard drives in most systems, concerns about price may lead you to choose a lower-capacity SSD. We recommend using an SSD to install the operating system and basic applications, while a conventional hard drive stores all your data.
Fragmentation:
In HDDs, as hard disks fill up, large files can spread across the disk platter, causing fragmentation, which slows down the speed of reading and writing data. Meanwhile, solid-state drives do not have this problem, since the physical location of the file recording does not matter that much.
Noise:
Solid-state drives do not make any noise, mainly because they do not have mechanical parts.
Physical size:
As hard drives have rotating plates, there is a limit to how small they can be in size. Solid state drives keep shrinking over time, now storing over 100 GB in a space smaller than a pen drive.
Durability:
SSDs have no moving parts like HDD, and therefore, are more likely to keep your data safe, in case your laptop bag falls or your system is affected by an impact while it is running. Speed and performance: This is the place where solid-state drives earn by ample advantage. A PC equipped with an SSD will work much faster, connecting in a matter of four or five seconds.
Price:
An SSD is pricier, but its performance is vastly superior, like comparing a 60-horsepower Fiat to a 350-horsepower Ferrari.
So, now, are you looking for a quality SSD and do not know which one to choose? We recommend the mandatory reading on the best SSD of the moment. Find the best models, the cheapest options, great value, and our professional reviews in English within the computer sector.