An external hard drive and a flash drive, also known as a USB drive, are two common types of portable storage devices. Both can be used to store and transfer files between computers. However, there are some key differences between them that make each better suited for certain uses. Understanding the pros and cons of external hard drives versus flash drives can help you decide which one best meets your storage needs.
In short, an external hard drive can be used as a flash drive, with some limitations. The main advantages of external hard drives are their large capacities and low cost per gigabyte. This makes them great for backups and storing large media files. However, they are bulkier, require an external power source, and are more prone to physical damage compared to flash drives. Flash drives are smaller, faster, and more durable, but have less storage capacity. Flash drives excel at transferring small files between different computers.
What is an External Hard Drive?
An external hard drive is a portable hard drive enclosed in its own case, and works by connecting to a computer’s USB port. External hard drives come in a variety of storage capacities, but many consumer-grade models max out at 10 terabytes (TB) per drive. Common uses for external hard drives include:
– External storage expansion for desktop and laptop PCs. Add terabytes of extra storage for files, media, backups, etc.
– Portable file backups. Manually back up important files by copying them to the external drive.
– Storage for console game recordings. Many gamers use externals to store recordings from consoles.
– Media library storage. A place to store large collections of movies, photos, music, etc.
– File transfer between computers. The portability of external drives facilitates file sharing.
Most external hard drives use spinning hard disk drives (HDDs), the same type of drive found in laptops and desktop computers. HDDs store data on quickly rotating disks, or platters, inside the drive. More recently, external solid state drives (SSDs) have become available. SSDs store data on memory chips and have faster read/write speeds, more durability, and higher cost per gigabyte compared to HDDs.
Externals connect to computers through USB cables. Common connection types include USB 3.0, USB-C, and USB 2.0. USB 3.0 and USB-C support faster potential transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0. Many external drives today use USB 3.0 or USB-C. Externals are also powered either through the USB connection itself or an external power adapter. Larger high-capacity drives typically require a separate power adapter.
What is a Flash Drive?
A flash drive is a small, ultra-portable storage device. It consists of a small printed circuit board inside a compact plastic housing. Flash drives connect to PCs and other devices via a built-in USB plug. They easily fit into a pocket or keychain for maximum portability.
Flash drives use flash-based memory for storage. Hence, the name “flash drive.” Flash memory is non-volatile, so it retains data without power. It provides faster read and write speeds compared to traditional HDDs. However, flash drives max out at relatively lower storage capacities, with most consumer models under 1 terabyte.
Common uses for flash drives include:
– Transferring personal files between different PCs. Their small size makes flash drives extremely convenient for portable file sharing.
– Running portable apps. Some flash drives allow launching apps directly from the drive itself.
– Storing system restore software. Flash drives work well for keeping bootable software used for system recovery.
– Serving as emergency backup drives. The drive’s small size allows for easy storage just about anywhere.
– Storing secure portable data. Flash drives can hold sensitive data and often include encryption options.
Flash drives connect to computers and devices via USB ports. Standard USB-A plugs are the most common, but USB-C models are increasingly available as well. Transfer speeds vary greatly between drives. Lower capacity budget models may only reach 25-30 MB/s write speeds, while premium models boast over 300 MB/s.
Can an External Hard Drive be Used as a Flash Drive?
So can you just use an external hard drive instead of a flash drive? Well, kind of. Functionally, external hard drives can perform many of the same tasks as a flash drive like file transfers between PCs or expanding the storage capacity of a device. However, there are some downsides to consider when using an external HDD as a flash drive replacement.
**Advantages of Using an External Drive as a Flash Drive:**
– **More storage capacity** – External hard drives offer vastly larger storage capacities compared to typical flash drives. For example, a 4TB desktop external can hold over 4 million photos.
– **Lower cost per gigabyte** – The cost per gigabyte is significantly lower with external hard drives. 1TB flash drives still cost over $100 while 1TB external HDDs are under $50.
– **Built-in backup software** – Many external hard drives include backup software for making file backups. This can simplify the process of manually backing up data.
**Disadvantages of Using an External Drive as a Flash Drive:**
– **Larger and bulkier** – External HDDs are larger in physical size and bulkier than tiny flash drives. Most models are at least a few inches tall by a few inches wide. This reduces portability and makes them harder to keep with you.
– **Requires external power** – Almost all external HDDs need to be plugged into wall power to operate. This limits on-the-go capability since you also need access to the power adapter.
– **Slower file transfer speeds** – Max transfer speeds over USB 3.0 are faster with flash drives compared to HDD-based externals. Large files like 4K videos will transfer noticeably slower.
– **More prone to physical damage** – Flash drives have no moving parts and SSD-based externals are similarly durable. HDD externals have moving disks inside, making them more prone to damage from drops or impacts.
– **Not bootable on all devices** – Flash drives can often be set as bootable drives. HDD externals do not always have guaranteed boot capability with different devices.
So in summary, the storage capacity and cost benefits of an external HDD make it fine for basic file transfers or backups. But for maximum portability and convenience, a flash drive is still the better everyday option.
Choosing Between an External Hard Drive vs. Flash Drive
So when should you use an external hard drive versus a flash drive? Here are some key considerations:
File Size and Number
If you need to regularly transfer large files or many files between devices, an external hard drive is the better choice. The larger capacity handles big files like videos, RAW photos, and large backups better. Flash drives accommodate smaller file sizes and quantities more efficiently.
Frequent Portability
Do you need to frequently move the drive between devices and take it with you on-the-go? Flash drives are far more portable with their tiny size and lack of external power requirements. Externals are more cumbersome to transport frequently.
Backup Requirements
Backing up personal files manually can be tedious. Many external hard drives include backup software to automate the process. This makes them more suitable for routine backups than flash drives.
Boot Capability
While not all flash drives allow you to boot directly into an OS from them, many do. External hard drives are less likely to support booting across multiple devices. Go with a flash drive if boot capability is important.
Physical Durability Needs
External HDDs based on hard disk drives are susceptible to damage from drops and impacts due to internal moving parts. All-flash storage devices like SSD externals and flash drives are more durable for use in rougher mobile conditions.
Data Security Concerns
If you plan to store highly sensitive data, flash drives offer built-in encryption options on many models. Encrypted external HDDs are available but less common. Flash drives support tighter data security overall.
Cost Differences
At the end of the day, external HDDs provide more gigabytes per dollar compared to flash drives. Depending on your budget, the lower cost may outweigh the portability and speed advantages of flash drives.
Using External Hard Drives as Flash Drive Alternatives
If you do want to use an external hard drive for flash drive-like tasks, here are some usage tips:
– **Opt for a compact external SSD** – SSD-based externals don’t have moving parts and compete better with flash drives for portability. Models like the Samsung T5 are only a bit bigger than a flash drive.
– **Get a rugged external** – Rugged models with shock absorption and dust/water resistance handle mobility better and offset some of HDDs’ fragility.
– **Carry cables with you** – You’ll need both a USB cable and wall adapter to use HDD externals on-the-go. Keep them handy in a laptop bag or backpack.
– **Create bootable HDD externals** – Use third-party software like Rufus to create bootable HDD externals when needed for recovery or OS installation.
– **Leverage backup software** – Backup software included on drives like WD Elements can provide helpful functionality similar to “syncing” large amounts of files across devices.
– **Use for game storage** – External HDDs excel as storage expansions for game consoles like Xbox One. Just connect your game library to take it to a friend’s house easily.
– **Add encryption if needed** – Enable encryption through HDD utilities if you need to securely store sensitive data. This approximates flash drive encryption options.
– **Utilize for video editing** – Editing large video files directly off an external HDD avoids taking up primary computer storage and slowdowns.
Even with the inherent drawbacks for flash drive-like uses, HDD externals can serve in a pinch for carrying files in a less convenient fashion. But long-term, flash drives still provide the ultimate in portable storage convenience.
Conclusion
In summary, while external hard drives are very useful for backups, media storage, and PC storage expansion, they aren’t a full replacement for dedicated flash drives. The large capacities but limited portability of HDD externals makes them suited for different purposes overall compared to flash drives. For transferring everyday files across multiple devices, flash drives are still the better solution. However, an external HDD can work in a pinch for flash drive duties when portability is not a critical factor. Consider both your storage needs and how you plan to use the device when deciding between these two popular portable storage options.