An external drive and a hard drive are similar types of computer data storage devices, but they have some key differences. Both are used to store and access digital files and information on a computer. However, external drives are portable and operate outside of the computer case, while hard drives are installed internally within a computer.
In short:
- External drives are portable, removable data storage devices.
- Hard drives are internal storage devices installed inside a computer.
- Both can store large amounts of data and files.
- But external drives connect outside of the computer case via USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt, etc.
- While hard drives connect inside the computer case via SATA, IDE, etc.
Understanding the similarities and differences between these two common types of data storage devices can help determine which is best for various computing needs. Examining how they work, their interface and connectivity, portability, storage capacity, and other factors provides a clear comparison.
What is an External Drive?
An external drive is a type of computer data storage device that is portable and used outside of a computer case. Some key characteristics of external drives include:
– Designed for portability and external use: External drives are made to be moved around and connected to different computers. They are not installed internally within a computer case.
– Removable storage: External drives can be easily disconnected from a computer via cable or removed from an enclosure. This distinguishes them from internal hard drives, which are not designed to be removable.
– Connected by cable: External drives use a cable to connect to a computer, typically via USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt, eSATA, or other data transfer interfaces. This allows for easy plug and play without opening up a computer.
– External power source: Most external drives require an AC power adapter and power cable to operate. Some bus-powered models can get enough power through a data cable.
– Enclosed in protective housing: External drives are enclosed in a durable chassis or housing that protects the drive from external elements. This allows them to be safely portable.
– Many form factors: External drives come in a variety of standardized physical sizes, such as 2.5″ portable size up to 3.5″ desktop sizes. There are also larger 5.25″ drives.
Common examples of external drives include portable HDDs (hard disk drives), SSDs (solid state drives), optical disc drives, RAID (redundant array of independent disks) systems, and other drive types. They provide extra storage space and data backup capabilities for desktop and laptop PCs.
What is a Hard Drive?
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a type of internal data storage device that is installed inside a computer case and directly connected to a computer’s motherboard. Key features of hard drives include:
– Installed internally in computer: Hard drives are designed to be mounted within a computer case, directly integrated within a computer’s inner components. They require internal cabling and power connections.
– Non-portable: Hard drives are not made to be removed and transferred between different computers. They are physically installed in one computer at a time.
– Connected by internal cables: Hard drives use internal cabling to connect to a motherboard via SATA, IDE, SCSI, or other interfaces. This requires computer disassembly.
– Draw power from system: Hard drives pull electrical power directly from the computer’s power supply unit rather than needing their own AC adapter.
– Enclosed in drive bays: Hard drives are mounted into drive bays within the computer case using brackets or screws. This stabilizes the drive.
– Standard sizes: Common hard drive size standards include 3.5″ desktop and 2.5″ notebook sizes. 1″ and 1.8″ small form factors exist for specialty uses.
There are two main types of hard drives: HDDs that use magnetic disks to store data, and SSDs that use flash-based memory chips instead of disks. Both are installed and operated the same basic way.
Differences Between External Drives and Hard Drives
While external drives and hard drives have some similarities, they have important differences in their physical design and operation. Key differences include:
Portability
External drives are highly portable since they just need to be plugged into a computer using an external cable. Hard drives are not meant to be removed and must stay installed in a computer case.
Installation
External drives only need to be connected to a computer through an external port like USB. Hard drives must be installed internally by mounting them into drive bays and connecting data and power cables inside a PC case.
Enclosures
External drives are contained in their own protective, portable enclosures to be moved freely. Hard drives rely on installation within a computer case for protection.
Power Sources
Most external drives use dedicated AC adapters for power. Hard drives draw power directly from a computer’s internal power supply unit.
Interface Connections
External drives usually connect to computers via USB, Firewire, eSATA or Thunderbolt interfaces. Hard drives use SATA, IDE, SCSI, SAS or other internal data buses.
Usage
External drives are made for backup, transfer, general storage expansion on multiple computers. Hard drives are designed as more permanent primary internal storage in a single computer.
Shock Resistance
External drives are more shock-resistant due to their portability. Hard drives are more vulnerable to physical damage due to their stationary installation.
In summary, external drives are made for flexible, removable use between computers and locations. Hard drives are integral components installed inside host computer systems and not meant to be frequently moved.
Are All External Drives Also Hard Drives?
Largely yes, most external drives are physically hard disk or solid state drives inside an external enclosure. However, some exceptions include:
– Optical disc drives: CD, DVD and Blu-ray external drives contain discs rather than a hard drive inside.
– Card readers: These read external memory cards like SD cards or CF cards but do not contain a hard drive.
– NAS: Network-attached storage provides external storage over a network, but may or may not use standard hard drives inside.
– RAID arrays: Multiple hard drives in an external enclosure configured as a RAID array.
So while most external storage devices contain a physical hard drive inside, some alternatives like optical drives, card readers or NAS solutions technically do not. But a majority of external storage does use internal HDD or SSD drives to provide the actual storage capacity.
Are All Hard Drives Internal Drives?
Primarily yes, hard disk drives and solid state drives are designed to be used as internal storage within a computer case. However, some exceptions exist:
– Enclosures: Internal hard drives can be mounted into an external drive enclosure to become an external hard drive.
– Docks: Hard drive docking stations temporarily mount internal drives externally.
– Converters: SATA/IDE to USB converters allow connecting internal drives via USB externally.
So in some cases internal hard drives can be used externally via various methods. But standalone hard drives are still manufactured and sold to be used specifically as internal computer storage.
Primary Uses of External Drives vs. Hard Drives
Due to their fundamental design differences, external drives and hard drives are typically used for different primary functions:
External Drive Uses
– Backup: External drives make backing up data easy between multiple computers. They can be kept separate from a PC for data protection.
– transferring files: The portable design allows using external drives to transfer files between computers or locations.
– Expanded storage: Adding more external storage is quick and easy for any computer that needs more capacity.
– Time Machine/File History: Mac and Windows backup features rely on external drives for easy backup.
– Shared storage: External drives can provide shared storage on a home network when configured as a NAS.
– Encryption: Some external drives have built-in encryption functionality for secure portable data.
Hard Drive Uses
– Primary internal storage: Hard drives store the operating system and user files internally on a computer as primary storage.
– System installation: Computer OS installation requires an internal hard drive for storage.
– Program/game installation: Software, applications and games get installed to internal hard drives for fastest access.
– Performance: Internal hard drives connect via faster SATA/IDE interfaces rather than the bandwidth limits of USB.
– Always available: Internal storage is always available whenever the computer is on. No need to plug in external drives.
– Out of sight: Keeping the drive internal makes your data less visible and harder to tamper with.
– Cannot be misplaced: An internal drive never gets misplaced like an external drive since it stays mounted in a PC.
So in general external drives provide expanded, portable and shareable storage, while internal hard drives serve as a computer’s primary storage for private data and programs.
Which is Better – External or Hard Drive?
There is no universally “better” choice between external and hard drives – it depends entirely on the intended use case:
– For portable data storage and backup, external drives are better.
– For installing operating systems and programs, hard drives are better.
– For expanding storage on desktop PCs, external drives are preferable.
– For high-performance gaming computers, internal hard drives are preferred.
– If you need to securely share data between computers, external drives are the better pick.
– If you just want simple, private, always-on storage for one PC, a hard drive is likely better.
Factors like portability, speed, capacity, security, and usage patterns determine whether an external or internal hard drive is a better choice for specific data storage needs. Using both is ideal for comprehensive storage capability.
Advantages of External Storage
– Easy portability for transferring and accessing data anywhere
– Can be used with multiple computers
– Low cost way to expand storage for a laptop or desktop
– Help secure backups away from the main computer in case of disaster
Advantages of Internal Storage
– Faster interface speeds and data transfer rates
– Safe protected inside computer case
– Always available when computer is on
– No cables needed to connect or power the drive
So choosing between them means prioritizing factors like portability, speed, expansion, security and convenience based on your computing needs.
Using Both External and Internal Drives for Comprehensive Storage
While external and internal drives have different strengths, using both types provides the most flexible and secure data storage solution:
– Use internal drives for OS, programs, games and active project files that need fast access
– Use external drives for backups, inactive data, and files you need to transport
– Boot and run your computer from the faster internal drive
– Move files to external drives to free up space on main internal drive
– Make external drive backups for protection against failure or disaster
– Leverage external drives to share data between locations or other people
– Use internal storage for more sensitive private data
– Store data externally that you need encrypted or more secure
Combining the capacity and mobility of external drives with the speed and access of internal drives gives a computer the best overall data storage capabilities. Just be sure to have backups of any important external data on another drive for redundancy in case one fails.
Sample Uses of External and Internal Drives
Game Consoles
Game consoles utilize both external and internal drives:
– Games are installed and loaded from fast internal hard drives. This provides optimal gaming performance.
– External USB hard drives can be used to add more storage space for large game libraries.
– Cloud and external storage can backup saves games, profiles and settings.
Desktop PCs
Desktop computers can leverage both external and internal storage:
– The operating system and primary programs are installed on internal hard drives for faster use.
– Larger media files, backups and archived data can be stored on external hard drives.
– Applications like photo/video editing use internal drives for active project data and scratch disks.
– Backups to external drives protect important files from system failure.
Laptops
Laptops can greatly benefit from external storage:
– The internal drive stores the OS, apps, and current project files accessed while mobile.
– Large media libraries, backups and other data remain on external drives.
– External drives facilitate file transfer between office and home or other locations.
– External SSDs add high-speed working storage for things like video editing.
So across many computing platforms, a combination of fast internal storage and large external storage provides the ideal data storage solution.
Conclusion
While external drives and hard drives have some overlapping capabilities, they are fundamentally different devices meant for unique purposes. Knowing when to use each is key to building an optimal storage configuration.
External drives are designed for portability, backup and transfer of data between devices and locations. Hard drives serve as high-speed permanent storage installed internally within host computer systems.
Using both provides benefits like large external capacity for backups and file sharing combined with fast internal access for programs and active data. Whenever storage needs go beyond the limits of a computer’s internal hard drive, connecting versatile external storage helps provide an expanded, flexible solution.
Understanding the core differences allows matching each type of drive to their ideal uses – externa drives for mobility and sharing, internal hard drives for dedicated speed and private access. Combining these purposes provides reliable data storage and access both internally and externally.