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There are a number of problems that can crop up with your computer’s memory. Even though most computers come with large hard drives, it is surprisingly easy to fill them up, especially with large files such as videos. When that happens, it can cause your computer to slow down. Even more seriously, the hard drive can become corrupted, making it difficult or impossible to access your files. And if something happens to the computer itself, all of your files could be easily lost. An external hard drive can address all of those problems. It allows you to move files off of your computer’s hard drive, freeing up space, and providing a backup in case something happens to your computer. It’s an essential investment, and one that no computer owner should go without. Here is how you can find the best one.
USB Flash Drives: These offer storage of up to 64GB and are the most portable external hard drives on the market. They are small enough to fit on a keychain or in your pocket but offer enough space to fit many documents and multimedia material. Most flash drives are also compatible with both Mac and PC systems. These are the most convenient if you are always on-the-go and need to transfer or save small amounts of data but normally rely on your main computer for your files.
Portable External Hard Drives: Also known as notebook external hard drives, these are larger than flash drives but are still small enough to fit in a coat pocket to be carried around. They connect to your computer via the USB component that is built into your hardware. These come in all sizes up to a maximum capacity of 1.5 TB. Unlike desktop drives, these do not require a power adapter and are great for traveling and retrieving data on the go.
Desktop Hard Drives: These are connected to your laptop or PC via a cable or wirelessly. They are normally designed to stay in one place on a work surface. This is a great option for storing large amounts of data as they have much larger capacities up to 6 TB.
Durability: Keeping your files safe is a major part of what hard drives were made for. If your hard drive is portable, the hardware should be made of materials durable enough to protect it from shock and damage if you accidentally drop it. Look out for materials like quality plastic or aluminum and avoid anything that looks flimsy or cheap.
Transfer Speed: The happiest customers were those whose files transferred very quickly from their desktop to their hard drives. If you’re going to be transferring a small volume of files, most external hard drives will do fine. If you want to transfer larger files such as videos, a hard drive with a USB 3.0 interface will transfer these much faster than its USB 2.0 counterpart.
Size: The size of your hard drive should be reflective of its use. Most consumers said that when it comes to portable drives, they were more likely to choose one that would fit in their coat or in their work gear, but this is completely dependent on personal preference and may be a good starting point for you.
Samsung: Samsung is a South Korean electronics manufacturer. Founded in 1938 as a food distribution company, they have diversified their business over the years, eventually expanding to manufacturing electronics and related accessories. Today, they are one of the world’s leaders in consumer electronics.
LG: LG is a South Korean company that specializes in electronics and home accessories. The company began as a home electronics and appliances manufacturer in 1958, and is still a leading producer in both arenas.
HP: Hewlett-Packard is an American computer company. Founded in 1939, HP is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of both computers and computer peripheral devices today.
Sanoxy: Sanoxy is an American producer of computer accessories that was founded in 2005. They offer a wide range of peripherals for computer users, from external drives to computer carrying cases.
ASUS: ASUS is a Taiwanese computer manufacturer. The company was established in 1989 and produces a wide range of computers, computer accessories, and other electronic tools.