Anyone who has ever dealt with a slow computer knows the importance of having a fast storage drive.
For many years, the standard storage drive has been to store everything on an internal hard drive.
However, hard drives are notoriously slow, and they can be even slower if they are getting full.
As a result, many people have started to switch to solid-state drives, which are much faster and more reliable in performance.
There are two types of SSD drives in the market right now; one is the external SSD drive, and the other is the internal SSD drive.
But both of these storage drives come with different pros and cons.
But which drive is better? That comes down to which one you need.
This blog aims to discuss the differences between an external SSD vs internal SSD, which will help you decide which one is best for you in different situations.
What is SSD Drive?
Solid State Drive is one of the most cutting-edge technologies used in today’s high-end laptops and desktop computers era.
A Solid State Drive is generally known as SSD, and it is a kind of small storage memory used to store data in the same manner as a hard disk drive.
SSD has many advantages over HDDs, and they are most useful in laptops and desktop computers with high-end graphic cards, a fast processor, and a good amount of RAM.
It increases the overall speed of the computer and its overall graphical display.
Pros and Cons of External SSD vs Internal SSD
Internal SSD Offers Much Faster Speed
When it comes to external SSD vs internal SSD, the debate about which one is faster is often heated.
While external SSDs offer the convenience of portability, they can often be slower than internal SSDs due to their lower data transfer rate.
Internal SSDs, on the other hand, offer much higher data transfer rates because, naturally, it is an internal part of the computing system but can be more challenging to install.
So, which one is the winner?
An internal SSD is probably your best bet if you’re looking for raw speed.
However, if you need the portability of an external SSD and are willing to sacrifice a bit of speed, then an portable drive may be a perfect choice.
Internal SSD is Cheaper in Most Cases
There is no simple answer to this question, as the cost of laptop, internal and external SSDs can vary greatly depending on several factors.
In general, however, external SSDs are more expensive than internal SSDs.
For example, the price of a Crucial MX500 1TB internal SSD is 94.99$, and the cost of a SanDisk 1TB is $134.00.
Also, the price of an external SSD can vary depending on the brand, utility features, and speed.
So, if you’re looking for an affordable storage device, an internal SSD is probably your best bet.
However, if you need a lot of storage space and fast data transfer speeds, you’ll likely have to pay more for an external storage drive.
External SSD is Easy to Carry & Internal SSD is Difficult to Upgrade
One of the critical deciding factors is portability.
Internal SSDs are designed to be installed inside a laptop, while external SSDs are portable devices that can be connected to a computer via USB or other means.
External SSDs offer high portability since they are small and lightweight.
This makes them ideal for carrying around in a bag pack or even in your pocket.
But they are not safer from being dropped or bumped since they are not installed inside the laptop.
Furthermore, one should be careful when buying an internal SSD because they are generally not accessible to upgradeable, and the owner needs to have technical knowledge of them.
Reliability
The internal SSD is more reliable against phycial demages because it is less susceptible to damage than an external SSD.
Portable drive can be damaged by shocks and drops, whereas their casing protects internal storage.
Furthermore, internal SSDs tend to be hotter and require more cooling, leading to failures.
External SSDs do not have this problem because they stay more relaxed and are less likely to fail.
Conclusion
There are a few key factors to consider when it comes to the pros and cons of internal SSDs vs.
external SSDs:
FAQ on External SSD vs Internal SSD
Is external SSD slower?
External SSDs are slower because they use a different connection than internal SSDs.
Portable SSDs use a USB or Thunderbolt connection, which is much slower than the connections used by internal SSDs.
This means that external SSDs are much slower than internal SSDs.
Is an external SSD worth the price?
While external SSDs can be more expensive than internal SSDs, they offer many benefits worth the investment.
These SSDs are much faster than USB flash drives and HDDs; they’re more durable and reliable and less likely to overheat.
If you need to store a lot of data or high-speed storage, an external SSD is definitely worth the investment.
Why is HDD cheaper than SSD?
There are a few reasons why HDD (hard disk drive) is cheaper than SSD (solid-state drive):
HDDs have been around for much longer than SSDs, so they are mass-produced, and there is more competition in the market, driving prices down.
Hard disks are less complex than solid-state drives, making them less expensive to manufacture.
Because SSDs offer a significant performance advantage over HDDs, they command a higher price premium.
So if you’re looking for the cheapest option, go with an HDD.
But if you need the best performance, you’ll have to pay more for an SSD.
Which lasts longer, SSD or HDD?
SSDs last longer than HDDs because they have no moving parts.
This means that there are fewer chances of physical damage on the surface of an SSD than there are with an HDD.
However, SSDs are more expensive than HDDs.
In addition, HDDs tend to have more storage space than SSDs.
How many years can SSD last?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the lifespan of an SSD depends on various factors, including the amount and type of data stored on it, the number of times it’s been rewritten, and the age and condition of the drive.
However, most experts agree that an SSD should last for 5 to 6 years with average use.
If you want to maximize the lifespan of your SSD, there are a few things you can do:
Always back up your data regularly.
Avoid filling up your drive completely (leave at least 20% free space).
Avoid copying or moving large files or folders around.
Keep your computer in a cool, dry place and protect the drive from physical damage.