Currently, it is usual to find devices with speeds of 54 RPM, although there are some that reach 10000 RPM.įor a desktop computer, if you want to enjoy good performance, go for a disk with at least 7200 RPM. In HDD devices, read/write speed will depend to a large extent on the disc’s rotation speed, which is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). When playing video games, it will not decide performance, but it will reduce loading times. Similarly, it can also influence the performance of installed programs and applications. A higher reading speed will allow the computer to boot much faster if the operating system is installed on that hard disk. However, it is often not given all the importance it deserves. Read/write speed is a fundamental aspect of an HDDs performance. If you are going to use your computer for video games, a combination of a 250 GB SSD and 2+ TB on an HDD disc may better suit you.ĭid you know that the very first hard drive, the IBM 350 Disk Storage Unit, was released in September 1956 as part of a complete IBM computer system? For the average user, a 1 TB disk is more than enough.

Today, mechanical hard drives offer more than enough capabilities to meet the users’ needs.Ĭurrently, there are HDD units with capacities ranging from 500 GB to 12 TB.

However, do not let yourself be guided by this alone. No doubt, storage capacity is an important issue when buying a hard drive. It is even possible that you combine an SSD with an HDD to take advantage of the benefits of each. So, for a laptop, you will be interested in a disk size of 2.5 inches instead of the traditional 3.5 inches.Īlso, is the computer you use for basic tasks, more professional use, or for playing video games? In each case, there will be a more specific type of hard disk geared toward each intention. You will not need the same type of HDD on a laptop as on a desktop computer. Regarding tech experts’ opinions, when buying a mechanical hard drive, the first thing you have to think about is your intended use and with which device you are going to use it.

We expect them to guide your purchase as much as possible to fit your quality-to-value ratio in the best way possible. To help you in the selection process, we have chosen the ones we consider most important. When it comes to buying an HDD, it is important to consider some criteria regarding expert opinions.

Susceptible to mechanical breakdowns if mishandled.

External hard drive maximum capacity