Until modern computers became available, there wasn’t much choice as to what type of storage you could choose. Thankfully, computer parts have become modular enough that typically both solid-state drives and hard disk drives are available whether you’re buying a desktop or laptop. The availability of these options makes it more important than ever to understand how they are different.

Differences in Storage

Both SSDs and HDDs are computer parts that store data. HDDs have been the workhorse of data storage for many years and continue to be viable and valuable solutions to the task. These hard drives consist of a metal plate with a magnetic coating that stores that actual data. A read-and-write arm moves to different areas of the plate when it spins, granting access to the information stored within. As with random access memory, data on an HDD don’t disappear when the computer is turned off.

SSDs, on the other hand, don’t have any moving parts. Instead, data is stored on connected flash memory chips. These chips offer extremely quick access to any data stored within. Also, thanks to their small size and lightweight design, flash memory chips open up the possibilities of placement within a computer. Like HDDs, data stored on a solid-state unit don’t go away when the device is powered down.

Advantages & Disadvantages

The differences between HDDs and SSDs make each more or less suitable for certain tasks. As the go-to for storage in the world of computer parts, HDDs are extremely affordable, even for models with a tremendous amount of storage, while solid-state units are often considerably more expensive. HDDs also offer a wider variety of sizes and higher cap of total storage. You can find HDDs with several terabytes of storage at any electronics store, but SSDs in similar sizes are rarer and still very expensive.

Solid-state storage, however, does have two major advantages over spinning disk drives: speed and durability. Anything done with an SSD—booting a computer, opening programs, accessing saved files—will be much faster than if it were done on an HDD. An SSD’s lack of moving parts also makes it much less prone to any mechanical failure.

Ultimately, both computer parts are viable options. It ultimately comes down to how much space you need and how quickly you need to access it. Your local computer store may be able to help you choose the type of hard drive that’s right for you.

RadioActive is the premier destination for computer services in the Kalispell, MT, area. The shop’s expert team has more than 60 years of combined experience, allowing it to handle a wide range of different computer parts and problems. For more information, call (406) 257-5999 or visit the website today.