External storage refers to any type of storage device that can be connected to a computer externally, rather than installed internally. External storage allows you to store data separately from your computer’s internal hard drive and easily move data between devices. Some common examples of external storage devices include external hard drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, and optical drives.
External Hard Drives
External hard drives are one of the most popular and widely used forms of external storage. An external hard drive is simply a hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) enclosed in a portable protective casing that connects to a computer externally, typically via USB, eSATA or FireWire connection. External hard drives come in a range of storage capacities to back up large amounts of data, from as little as 500GB to as much as 5TB or more. Here are some key advantages of using an external hard drive for extra storage:
- Large capacity – External hard drives offer far larger data storage capacity compared to other external storage devices like USB flash drives.
- Flexibility – External hard drives are compatible with PCs, Macs and other devices with USB, eSATA or FireWire ports. They can also be easily transferred between devices.
- Data backup – External hard drives provide an excellent way to back up your data and protect it from system crashes or other failures.
- Portability – External hard drives are portable and made to be carried or moved around easily.
- Accessibility – Data on external hard drives is readily accessible as they act as plug and play storage.
The most common types of external hard drives are:
- Portable hard drives – Small and lightweight with varying storage capacities. Used for backing up data or transferring files between computers. Can be powered from the USB connection.
- Desktop hard drives – Require a power cable and are designed to stay in one place on a desk, usually with larger storage capacities than portable drives.
- Solid state drives – More expensive but faster, lighter and more durable than hard disk drives as they contain flash memory with no moving parts.
Advantages of External Hard Drives
Some key advantages of using external hard drives include:
- Storage Capacity – External hard drives offer much larger capacities than other external storage solutions, with desktop models available up to 10TB.
- Speed – External SSDs offer faster read/write speeds than USB flash drives.
- Durability – External hard drives are engineered to withstand being frequently transported or moved.
- Compatibility – External hard drives have universal connectivity and can be used with any computer with USB, FireWire, eSATA or Thunderbolt ports.
- Portability – Even desktop drives are highly portable between locations.
- Plug & Play Functionality – External hard drives are ready to use as soon as they are plugged in and require no installation.
- Backup Capabilities – Allow you to backup large amounts of data from your main computer storage.
- Security – Data can be encrypted and external hard drives have no network access or visibility to other systems.
Disadvantages of External Hard Drives
Potential disadvantages include:
- physically damage – Because they are portable, external hard drives are open to physical damage if dropped or mishandled.
- Malfunction – Like any electronic device with moving parts, external hard drives are susceptible to technical malfunction and data loss.
- Dependency – You cannot access data on the external hard drive when not connected to a computer.
- Single point of failure – External hard drives should not be relied on as your sole backup solution in case of failure.
- Set up required – External hard drives must be reformatted to work with different operating systems or device configurations.
- Viruses – External drives connected to different devices can spread viruses unless properly scanned.
- Cost – External hard drives are bulkier and more expensive per gigabyte than cloud storage solutions.
USB Flash Drives
USB flash drives, also known as thumb drives or jump drives, are small solid-state drives that plug directly into a computer’s USB port. They are lightweight, portable and rewritable, designed to transfer and store files externally. Key features include:
- Compact size – Small enough to fit in a pocket and be carried conveniently.
- Storage capacities – Typically ranging from 2GB to 512GB.
- Plug-and-play – USB flash drives connect with no cables or installation required.
- Durability – No moving parts make them more durable and shock resistant.
- Speed – USB 3.0 drives provide faster transfer speeds than earlier generations.
- Compatibility – Work across Windows, Mac, Linux and other common operating systems.
USB flash drives are a ubiquitous, affordable and versatile solution for storing, transferring and backing up files on the go. Typical usage scenarios include:
- Transferring files between computers and devices
- Sharing documents or media with others
- Backing up personal files for safekeeping
- Storing software licenses and portable applications
- Serving as additional temporary storage space
- Creating bootable OS installation drives
- Encrypting and storing sensitive data securely
Advantages of USB Flash Drives
Some major upsides to using USB flash drives for external data storage include:
- Portability – Small size lets them fit in a pocket and be carried anywhere.
- Capacity – Available from 2GB up to 512GB to suit different storage needs.
- Speed – USB 3.0 drives provide fast data transfer speeds.
- Durability – No moving parts make them resistant to physical shocks or drops.
- Convenience – Plug-and-play functionality requires no installation or setup.
- Compatibility – Wide support across operating systems and computer types.
- Affordability – Relatively low cost per gigabyte compared to hard drives.
- Security – Built-in encryption and password protection capabilities.
Disadvantages of USB Flash Drives
Some downsides or limitations of USB flash drives include:
- Limited capacity – Not designed for huge amounts of storage compared to external hard drives.
- Durability issues – Still susceptible to data loss if physically damaged.
- Virus risk – Portability leads to higher malware infection vulnerability.
- Data loss – Lack of backup makes permanently losing files easier.
- Speed – Slower transfer speeds than solid state external drives.
- No network access – Only pluggable into one computer at a time for file transfer.
- Choking hazard – Small size poses a choking hazard for children.
Comparing External Hard Drives vs. USB Flash Drives
When should you use an external hard drive versus a USB flash drive? While their portability and plug-and-play use cases overlap, there are factors that make each option better suited to particular external storage needs:
| External Hard Drives | USB Flash Drives |
|---|---|
| Higher capacities, from 500GB up to 10TB+ | Lower capacities, typically max out at 512GB |
| Ideal for backing up large amounts of data | Better for transferring smaller files |
| Require external power source for desktop models | Powered entirely via USB port |
| Moving parts make them susceptible to failure if damaged | No moving parts make them more durable and shockproof |
| Larger physical size less convenient for portability | Compact size convenient for portability |
| Per-gigabyte cost is lower | Higher per-gigabyte cost |
In summary:
- External hard drives are better for expanding your permanent storage capabilities and continuously backing up large amounts of important data.
- USB flash drives are ideal for transferring files occasionally between locations and systems, temporarily expanding your available storage as needed.
Conclusion
External hard drives and USB flash drives are two of the most common, convenient and versatile options for external data storage. Both let you easily expand your storage capacity or transfer files by plugging into any computer’s USB port. But external hard drives offer far larger capacities for dedicated backup and expanded permanent storage, while flash drives are pocket-sized to carry files on the go. When you need access to extra data storage that you can use across multiple devices, turn to an external hard drive or USB flash drive.