In today’s world, having an external hard drive has become one of the essential tools for data storage. Whether for backing up personal and work files or transferring large data, choosing the right hard drive can play a crucial role in the speed and security of your information. However, when buying a hard drive, many questions may arise in your mind, from important points in buying an external hard drive to criteria for buying an external hard drive and finding the best option for your needs. In this article, we aim to provide a thorough guide to buying an external hard drive and share key and important points to consider when making a purchase so you can select the best external hard drive based on your requirements.
Now that you are aware of the importance of this topic, let’s delve into the details and familiarize ourselves with the important criteria for buying an external hard drive! Join Seyed Ali Ebrahimi with this guide to buying an external hard drive.
What is an External Hard Drive (External HDD)?
An external hard drive is a portable data storage device that connects easily to various devices through an external interface, such as a USB port or other connections. This device consists of an internal hard disk housed within a protective case, allowing you to carry large amounts of data, such as photos, videos, and large files, and access them anytime.
If you are looking for a guide to buying an external hard drive, it’s essential to know that these devices come in various capacities, ranging from a few gigabytes to several terabytes. For instance, if you need to store a significant amount of data, selecting a hard drive with high capacity is one of the criteria for buying an external hard drive. Additionally, data transfer speed and the type of connection interface are also important points in buying an external hard drive. The best external hard drive is one that meets your storage and speed needs while remaining compatible with your various devices.
This tool is not only suitable for backing up data but also facilitates the easy transfer of information between different devices, ensuring the security of your files.
Advantages of Buying an External Hard Drive
Purchasing the best external hard drive can offer significant benefits to many users. These devices are powerful tools for storing and transporting information and can meet various needs. Here are some of the most important advantages of using an external hard drive:
High Portability: One of the biggest advantages of an external hard drive is its portability. You can easily carry it with you and access your data anywhere. This is particularly important for individuals who travel or need to transfer large files between different computers.
Large Storage Capacity: The best external hard drives can offer very large capacities, ranging from several hundred gigabytes to several terabytes. This allows you to store substantial amounts of data, such as photos, videos, music, and important documents, with ease. If you are looking for a guide to buying an external hard drive, capacity is one of the criteria for buying an external hard drive that you should consider carefully.
Secure Data Backup: Another significant point in buying an external hard drive is that these devices can serve as a powerful backup tool. With external hard drives, you can back up your important information to recover it in case of data loss from your main systems. This advantage is especially crucial for individuals and businesses that need to store sensitive data.
Guide to Buying an External Hard Drive
When you plan to buy an external hard drive, there are several key points to consider to ensure you make the best choice for your needs. In this section, we will examine several criteria for buying an external hard drive so that you can make an informed decision.
Important Points When Buying an External Hard Drive
If you’re considering purchasing an external hard drive, it’s essential to keep some key points in mind to ensure you select the best option for your needs. This guide will help you make an informed choice when looking for the best external hard drive.
- Type of Storage: The first thing to check is the type of storage. External hard drives typically fall into two categories: HDD and SSD. HDDs use magnetic disks for data storage and are generally cheaper but slower than SSDs, which use flash memory. If speed is important to you, choosing an SSD could be a crucial point in your guide to buying an external hard drive.
- Storage Capacity: Depending on how much data you plan to store, you should choose an appropriate capacity. The best external hard drive should provide enough space for your files. Capacities can range from a few gigabytes to several terabytes, so if you’re looking to store large data like 4K videos or significant projects, a high capacity will be one of the criteria for buying an external hard drive.
- Data Transfer Speed: The speed of an external hard drive depends on your data transfer needs. Generally, HDDs have lower speeds compared to SSDs. Therefore, if you’re after high speed, this is an important factor to consider. Data transfer speed is one of the important points in buying an external hard drive that should not be overlooked.
- Portability: If you plan to carry your external hard drive regularly, pay attention to its weight and dimensions. Lightweight and compact external hard drives are ideal options and can easily fit into your bag or pocket.
- Shock and Water Resistance: If you work in environments where physical damage might occur, look for a hard drive that is shock-resistant and waterproof. These features can make it one of the best external hard drives for tough and unsafe conditions.
- Warranty: Always pay attention to the product warranty. A warranty ensures that you can access after-sales service in case of any issues. Having a valid warranty is one of the important points in buying an external hard drive.
- Price: Finally, the price of an external hard drive depends on the type of storage, capacity, speed, and other features. When purchasing, try to strike a good balance between quality and price, making the best choice according to your budget.
By considering these points, you can make the best decision for buying an external hard drive and select a suitable device for your storage needs.
Storage Capacity and Space Availability
When it comes to external hard drives, two key concepts must be understood: capacity and space availability. While these two concepts are closely related, they have significant differences that can influence your choice and management of the best external hard drive for your needs.
- Storage Capacity: This refers to the total amount of space an external hard drive can offer for data storage. Capacity is typically measured in bytes, gigabytes, terabytes, and even petabytes. For example, an external hard drive with a capacity of 1 terabyte allows you to store 1024 gigabytes of data. This is one of the criteria for buying an external hard drive that you should pay attention to before making a purchase. If you are looking to store large files, such as high-quality movies and games, opting for a higher capacity is one of the important points in buying an external hard drive.
- Space Availability: This concept refers to the amount of space currently occupied by your files and data. For instance, if your external hard drive has a capacity of 1 terabyte and you have filled 500 gigabytes with various data, you have used 50% of your total space. Monitoring space availability plays a crucial role in data management, and paying attention to this aspect is one of the important points in buying an external hard drive.
By understanding these concepts, you can make a more informed decision when selecting the best external hard drive for your storage needs.
Data Transfer Speed of External Hard Drives
The data transfer speed of an external hard drive is one of the most important features that impacts the device’s performance. This speed indicates the amount of data transferred between the external hard drive and your system over a specified time period, usually measured in megabytes per second (MBps) or gigabytes per second (GBps).
Factors Affecting Data Transfer Speed:
- Type of Storage:
- HDD: External hard drives based on magnetic disks (HDD) typically have lower speeds. These drives are more suitable for long-term storage and offer slower speeds compared to SSDs due to their mechanical structure.
- SSD: External hard drives with flash memory (SSD) provide significantly higher data transfer speeds because they lack mechanical parts. This type of hard drive is ideal for users who need fast transfers of large files.
- Connection Interface:
- USB 2.0: This is the oldest type of USB interface, offering relatively low speeds, typically between 30 to 60 MBps.
- USB 3.0: Known for transfer speeds between 100 to 150 MBps, this interface is one of the most commonly used options for everyday users.
- Thunderbolt: This advanced connection interface provides speeds ranging from 2000 to 3000 MBps, making it suitable for professional tasks such as video editing and graphic projects.
Understanding these factors can help you choose the right external hard drive based on your data transfer needs, ensuring you select the best external hard drive for your requirements.
Material and Design Type of External Hard Drives
One of the important features in choosing the best external hard drive is the material of the casing and the design type. These factors can affect not only the device’s durability but also its portability and appearance.
Casing Material of External Hard Drives
The casing of external hard drives is made from plastic, metal, or a combination of both materials. Each of these materials has its own unique features and benefits:
- Plastic:
- Advantages: This is the cheapest and lightest material for the casing of an external hard drive. Due to its low weight, it is easier to transport.
- Disadvantages: It has lower resistance to impacts and scratches and may suffer damage with continuous use. If you need more protection, this option may not be suitable.
- Metal:
- Advantages: Metal is a great choice for those looking for durability, as it offers high resistance to impacts and scratches. Additionally, metal designs typically have a sleek and professional appearance.
- Disadvantages: Its heavier weight compared to plastic and higher price are disadvantages of this type of casing.
- Combination of Plastic and Metal:
- Advantages: This combination provides the benefits of both materials; it offers the lightweight nature of plastic and the durability of metal. In this design, metal is usually used in sensitive areas and points that are more prone to impact.
- Disadvantages: It may be slightly more expensive than plastic casings, but it is still more affordable than fully metal casings.
Design Type of External Hard Drives
The design of external hard drives is also diverse, with various models available in the market based on user needs and preferences:
- Rectangular Design: This is the most common shape among external hard drives. These drives easily fit in a bag or pocket, making them suitable for users seeking easy portability.
- Circular Design: Typically smaller and lighter than rectangular models, this design is a great choice for those needing high portability.
- Thick Rectangular Design: Often made from metal, this model is very resistant to impacts and scratches due to its increased thickness. If you are looking for a durable hard drive for tough conditions, this design type will be ideal for you.
By considering these material and design factors, you can make an informed decision when looking for a guide to buying an external hard drive that fits your needs perfectly.
Warranty
Given the rising prices of gadgets and accessories, having a reliable warranty and appropriate after-sales service is one of the most crucial factors when purchasing the best external hard drive. A warranty plays an essential role in ensuring the proper functioning of the device and protecting your investment.
Reasons for the Importance of Warranty:
- Protection of Investment Costs: If you purchase an external hard drive with an unknown warranty and at a low price, you may not receive adequate support from the warranty provider in case of a problem. As a result, all the money you spent on the product could be wasted.
- Product Replacement Services: Reputable warranty companies typically replace the product free of charge during the warranty period if any issues arise with the hard drive. This can significantly save you time and money, preventing potential losses.
- Data Recovery: Some warranty providers even offer data recovery services. These services can relieve you of concerns about losing important data if the hard drive fails within a certain timeframe. Data recovery is particularly important for professional users and those who have stored valuable information on their hard drives.
By considering the warranty aspect when searching for a guide to buying an external hard drive, you can ensure that your investment is protected and that you have access to essential support and services if needed.
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Additional Features of External Hard Drives
In addition to core features like capacity, data transfer speed, and build quality, external hard drives may offer valuable additional capabilities that enhance the user experience. Below are some of these features:
- Shock and Water Resistance Some external hard drives are designed to be resistant to shocks and water. These features make them suitable for users looking for durable and highly resilient drives.
- Support for Multiple Connection Interfaces Many external hard drives come equipped with various connection interfaces, such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt. This capability allows users to easily connect to different types of devices.
- Support for Multiple Hard Disks Some external hard drives can support multiple disks. This feature is particularly useful for users requiring high storage capacity.
- RAID Support Certain external hard drives support RAID technology. RAID can enhance performance, security, and data reliability, making it a suitable choice for professional users.
- Encryption Support Some external hard drives offer data encryption capabilities. This feature helps users protect stored data from unauthorized access.
Considering these additional features when looking for a guide to buying an external hard drive can help you select a device that not only meets your storage needs but also enhances your overall user experience.
Best External Hard Drives Available in the Iranian Market
Choosing the best external hard drive in the Iranian market depends on various factors. Here are some of the most important considerations:
- Your Needs: If you’re looking for an external hard drive for personal file storage, a drive with medium capacity and suitable data transfer speed will suffice. For professional data, a drive with higher capacity and speed would be a better choice.
- Your Budget: The price of external hard drives varies based on capacity, data transfer speed, build quality, design type, and additional features.
- Preferred Brand: Brands like Seagate, Western Digital, and Adata are among the most popular options in the Iranian market.
Based on these factors, here are some of the best external hard drives available in Iran:
- Seagate Expansion Portable: This drive is available in capacities of 1, 2, 4, and 5 terabytes, with a data transfer speed of 100 to 150 MBps. It supports USB 3.0 and features a plastic body.
- Western Digital My Passport: With capacities of 1, 2, 4, and 5 terabytes and similar transfer speeds to Seagate, this drive also utilizes USB 3.0 and has a plastic casing.
- Adata HD710 Pro: Available in 1, 2, 4, and 5 terabyte capacities, this drive offers transfer speeds of 500 to 600 MBps and features USB 3.0 support. Its body is made of aluminum.
- Silicon Power Armor A66: Similar to Adata, this drive offers capacities of 1, 2, 4, and 5 terabytes with transfer speeds of 500 to 600 MBps and an aluminum body.
- Seagate Rugged: Available in 1, 2, 4, and 5 terabyte capacities, this drive offers data transfer speeds of 100 to 150 MBps and supports USB 3.0. Its rubber casing provides excellent protection for your data.
These are just a few examples of the best external hard drives available in the Iranian market. There are other options that can meet your needs as well.
Best External Hard Drive Brands
When choosing the best external hard drive, many brands are active in this field. Among these brands, a few well-known and popular names have gained attention in the market:
- Western Digital: Renowned for the quality and durability of its products, Western Digital is considered one of the best external hard drive brands.
- ADATA: This brand is noted for its affordable pricing and user-friendly features, placing it on the list of the best external hard drive brands.
- Silicon Power: Known for its resistance to shocks and water, Silicon Power’s products are recognized as among the best external hard drive brands.
- Seagate: With a wide range of products, Seagate is an excellent option for those looking for the best external hard drive brand.
- Toshiba: This brand is also recognized for its quality and suitable design, making it one of the best external hard drive brands.
Choosing among these brands depends on your needs and budget, but each of them is a suitable option as one of the best external hard drive brands.
Can an External Hard Drive Connect to a Phone?
External hard drives require a power source for operation. You can easily connect an external hard drive with an adapter to your phone. However, an external hard drive without an adapter needs a separate power source to connect to a phone.
In addition to the power source, the formatting of the Windows operating system differs from that of Android and iOS phones. Therefore, you may need to reformat the external hard drive to connect it to your phone.
These important tips will help you use your external hard drive correctly and connect it to your phone.