Today, with the advancement in computers and laptops, it is common to hear about internal and external “SSDs” or Solid State Drives. These are hard drives that can significantly reduce boot times while providing much faster speeds for reading and writing data to the processor than standard storage drives.
Many people have a question: whether an Internal SSD vs. External SSD should you use. So, this article will explore this topic in detail to help you decide which one would work best for your needs.
Why is it important to compare both of these SSDs?
It is essential to make a compressive comparison between these two to decide which one is perfect. Because most users think there is no significant difference between these, an internal drive is placed inside the computer.
At the same time, an external SSD is a portable drive that can be connected using a data cable. But this is not the only difference to think, and some other majors, such as speed, price, and reliability, will be discussed in this blog post.
What is the external hard drive?
An external hard drive is a separate device that connects to the computer through a USB port. And it has its power supply and does not take up a slot in the computer. We need a data transfer capable and compatible connection interface such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0.
What is Internal SSD?
An internal solid-state drive, or SSD, is a solid-state drive inserted into a drive bay within the computer itself. These drives have significantly faster read & write times than your external SSDs drives.
Major Deference of Internal SSD vs External SSD
Speed
The internal SSD drive’s data reading and writing speed is much faster than the external SSD’s. The internal SSD is part of the computer (physically installed inside in computer), whereas the external SSD is a separate device.
The external SSD has to transfer the data across the USB cable connecting it to the laptop, significantly slowing its reading and writing speed. Therefore, the internal SSD, on average, would be about 5 times faster than the external hard drive.
Reliability
So, if you are buying an external SSD drive, ensure it has some protection for this kind of problem. However, most SSDs come with proper resistance and can survive damage.
In terms of lifespan, internal SSD is unreliable and has a shorter lifespan. Because it works continuously, which means more usage and less lifespan rate. However, an external drive is more reliable because you will not use it constantly.
Cost
Even though the internal SSD drive offers better speeds, it is more expensive than the external one. A typical internal hard drive costs around $120 (Samsung 870 EVO on amazon), while an external one has a price of around $100 (WD 1TB Elements SE on amazon).
So, if you need faster speed on your computer and price is no an issue, then go for the internal SSD. And if you only need to store data and you’re not too worried about the data reading and writing speeds, then the external SSD is a better option.
Conclusion on Internal SSD vs External SSD
In conclusion, if you want to buy a storage drive for your computer, an Internal SSD vs External SSD comparison should be made. The internal SSD is faster and more reliable, but it takes up a slot in the computer.
The external SSD is slower but does not take up any slots, and is more resistant to external damage. It is also cheaper than the internal SSD. So it depends on you which is best for your needs.
FAQs
Does it make sense to buy an external SSD?
It depends on your needs and spending capacity. Internal SSDs are much faster than external ones because they’re an integral part of the computer – they sync continuously and frequently to what’s going on inside it much more fluidly than external drives.
The other side is that external SSDs keep your data safer and don’t clutter up your laptop as much as internal ones do: if you lose your computer, but all those gigabytes of data of photos, music, and documents will still safe external drives. Additionally, it is less expensive and easy to upgrade, plug and play process.
Can I boot Windows from an external SSD?
Yes, you can boot Windows from an external Solid State Drive.
Can you install Steam games on an external SSD?
Yes, you can, without any problems at all, on external SSDs. Steam games should work on any external drive as long as your gaming machine has an eSATA port and supports USB 3.0. However, USB 2.0 will not be fast enough to run games.
What are the main advantages of using internal SSD?
Internal SSD’s main benefits include booting in seconds, improving system performance, dependability, and increasing productivity. With an Internal SSD, you can boot your Windows PC in seconds.
It also drastically reduces computer start times so that when you choose to hit the power switch, your system is prepared for action.
So, using Internal SSDs will increase system performance and reduce system wait time.
Since your computer boots in seconds, no delays are associated with a longer startup routine. Plus, Internal SSDs minimize the amount of time your computer’s hardware waits to access the content.
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