FAQs
An external HDD has its own power supply, whereas an internal HDD uses your computer's USB port. External HDDs have their own connectors, too, but they're smaller than those found on internal drives.
External HDDs are generally more reliable than internal ones. They don't rely on your computer's power source, so they won't fail when your laptop loses power.
You'll get about 1TB of storage space with most external HDDs. That means you can store all of your music, movies, photos, documents, and programs on your new drive.
No, they don't. But they do make less noise, which makes them quieter than internal drives.
Yes, you can connect your external HDD directly to your computer without disconnecting it first.
Yes, it's perfectly safe to leave your external HDD connected to your computer overnight. Your data will remain intact even if your computer crashes during sleep mode.
Your external HDD will begin writing files to it once you turn on your computer. If you want to manually start this process, click Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.
Most external HDDs use either SATA or FireWire connections. Both types of connection require special cables that attach to your computer's motherboard. Most computers include these cables already installed, though you can purchase additional cables at your local electronics retailer.
SSD stands for solid state disk. These devices contain no moving parts, so they're faster than traditional mechanical disks. Plus, they consume less energy, making them ideal for laptops.
A higher speed rating indicates how fast your drive spins. A lower number means slower speeds. So, a 7200rpm drive would spin at around 7200 rotations per minute, whereas a 5400rpm drive would spin at around 5400 rotations per minute.
Not really. An 8GB external HDD is plenty big enough to store everything you'd ever need. And since most external HDDs offer anywhere from 4GB to 16GB of storage space, you shouldn't worry about running out of room.
If your external HDD stops working, simply replace it. No need to call tech support—just pop open the case and swap it out!