By Andreas Lee

disk drive external

As we know that every computer needs a hard drive to store Operating System, files, and programs. Hard drive is divided into two types; internal hard drive and external hard drive (disk drive external). Internal hard drive is installed in Central Processing Unit (CPU), while disk drive external stands outside the computer in its own enclosure that connects via USB port.

The disk drive external has become an essential device these days. Beside as an additional storage and a back up storage, it can also be a security storage from virus threats and easy to secure within disaster.

Because of the disk drive external works outside the computer case, it is not so easily to get hot. Some have a cooling fan to keep its temperature low.

Through a high speed interface cable, the disk drive external is able to connect to the computer/notebook. There are 2 interfaces which enable it to communicate with the computer, namely firewire and USB.

The data in the main internal hard drive can be transferred to disk drive external by offline or online activities. This portable device can also be an emergency storage if something goes wrong in your internal hard drive. Today, this external media must belong to every computer/notebook users.

Most disk drive external have back up features to back up contents of main internal drive securely and safely. It can secure any type of files, images, digital photos, videos, programs, etc. No need to shut computer down if you want to plug it off from computer, simply click on ‘safely remove’ icon in the toolbars and it is ready to revoke.

Two formats are available for disk drive external; IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) and the next generation namely SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment). SATA disk drive external’s transfer speed is six times faster than IDE USB external disk drive.

The components of this external hardware are; read/write head, platters, spindle motor, and head actuator.

The function of platters is to store the magnetized data. It is made from ceramic and glass because these kind of material can be processed to create thin platters and can resist high temperature. The bigger the capacity of a hard drive, the more platters are needed. Generally, each disk drives external has at least 2 platters.

To make the platters work, disk drive external needs spindle motor. Spindle speed is one of the most important specifications which are considered by the consumer. Presently, spindle speed which is owned by any type of hard drive in the market is ranging from 4500 rpm to 7200 rpm.

Reading and writing the data are the part of the read/write head’s job. One side of platter needs one head and each head is attached to an actuator shaft which moves the head around the platters. Only 1 head is active while reading and writing data activities occurred in disk drive external.

Please also check my other guides on: external disk, HDD drive, and camcorders hard drive

By Andreas Lee

external disk drive

Another large capacity external disk drive which can be owned with a low price is Hitachi 500GB external USB disk drive. The price ranges between $75 and $100, pretty good deal for the 500 GB external disk drive that can provide large empty space for your unemployed digital data. It can store up to 2 million images, hundred thousand digital photos, and thousand hours video duration.

This external disk drive speaker design eliminate your slightest bit of worry about the performance, has a 7200 rpm rotation speed that gives you convenience in accessing data without killing your time, and has the best buffer cache 16 MB which give speed to used data access.

Your comfort for back up data provided by this Hitachi product with 480 Mbps transfer rate which saves your time when back up data, and ArcSoft TotalMedia Backup which has the feature for easily backup your photos, videos, email, etc. This software is able to make your back up data schedule, and provides step by step wizards.

Its speciality also includes high connection USB 2.0 which necessary belong to external disk drive today, hot swap and can plugging on any computers/laptops. If your old version USB port is the problem, then Hitachi 500 GB external USB disk drive has the solution, its USB 1.1 compatibility allows it to be accessed on any USB port.

Pros

It is coming with low price and has all the performance and capacity which is needed by external disk drive users these days.

Cons

Its complex shape makes it hard to put in the bag.

Specs

• Capacity : 500 GB
• Buffer cache : 16 MB
• Transfer rate : 480 Mbps
• Rotation speed : 7200 RPM
• Platform : Windows PC and Macintosh
• Weight : 2.75 lb
• Dimensions : 6.7″ Height x 2.6″ Width x 4.8″ Depth

My Other articles that you might be interested in: disk external and refurbished laptops

DISK EXTERNAL

By Andreas Lee

hard disk external usb

Hard disk is a computer hardware which is used by computer users to store applications, programs, images, mp3 files, videos and many more. There was just one kind of hard disk before, namely hard disk internal, but with the growing needs and demand, hard disk external has been invented.

Recently, the needs of data storage capacity increase dramatically and the demand in terms of efficiency also increases, i.e.: the data can be taken handy and can be accessed anywhere. Therefore hard disk external is the solution for those needs and demands. One advantage of hard disk external is its efficiency to operate. If you want to use it, just plug in the USB port and it can be revoked any time even when the computer is still used. This hardware can be easily secured within disaster such as in fire and flood, because of its lightness and small size. It can be a tool to backup data if the computer’s performance slowed due to the full hard disk internal storage or another problem.

It is connected to the computer through the USB port. Usually USB port is located on the CPU, at the front-bottom and at the back of the CPU. Hard disk external has a wide variety of storage, and the storage capacity of hard disk external reaches 500 GB, even 8 TB (for example: Seagate BlackArmor NAS 440). Hard disk external also has a variety of data transfer speeds for back up purpose, spindle speed (RPM) for data access speed, and Buffer cache size for used file temporary storage (allows fast access for used file).

I suggest you check out my other guide on: western digital hard disk and hard drive recovery

By Andreas Lee

external hard disk

Indecency often happens, and we certainly do not like this. We often accidentally drop stuffs while carrying it or make it fall from the table and it can be a serious problem on some cases, for example an external disk which saves your work or your final exam files accidentally fallen from your hand and ruined, the worst consequence is data lost. You can be careful to prevent it, but it does not guarantee your carelessness will not happen again.

Technology experts always understand our problem. Therefore they created external disks which have a robust structure and design. Among of those strong external hard disks, one of them is LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive.

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive

Its design reminds me to mp3 player. LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive is designed to survive against extreme condition. Maybe at the first sight you think it’s heavy because of its solid shell but actually this thing is lighter than you think, only 250 gram, measuring at 9 cm wide, 14.5 cm long, and 2.5 cm in height.

This external disk is very tough, has a shock-resistant rubber sleeve for muffled impact effect, anti scratch protective aluminum shell as shield which protects the hard drive, and internal anti-shock rubber bumpers as hard drive foundations which gives shock resistance.

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain hard drive structure.

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive is easily carried, and you do not need to be afraid if this external disk encounters extreme conditions such as accidentally falling from your hand, your desk, etc. It also gives safety for your data while being carried on traveling or vacations. It never fails handling your data. This external disk is available in 120GB, 250GB, 320GB, 320GB-7200 rpm (only this type which has 7200 rpm spindle speed), and 500GB.

LaCie Rugged All-Terrain Hard Drive 320 GB-7200 rpm has a better spindle speed than the others. Its 320 GB capacity is able to store up to 1,000,000 images and more than 200 hours video recording, 7200 rpm spindle speed for data access speed which reduces your waiting time, FireWire 800 & 400 and USB 2.0 interfaced for fast connectivity. With bus-powered installed in it you do not need external power supply to run it, hot plug on and play, and so easily to run on any computers / laptops.

Pros

It is one of the external disks which have a solid structure. Its protective aluminum shell and shock-resistant rubber sleeve makes hard drive well protected.

Cons

Has an ordinary design of external disk, and its orange color on shock-resistant rubber sleeve does not match with silver on protective aluminum shell.

Specs

• Capacity : 320 GB
• Interface : 1x FireWire 800 (9-pin) port, 1x FireWire 400 (6-pin) port, 1x mini USB 2.0 port

• Spindle speed : 7200 rpm
• Buffer cache : 8 MB
• weight : 250 gram
• Platform : Windows PC and Macintosh
• Box content : FireWire 800 cable, FireWire 400 (cable), USB 2.0 cable, USB power sharing cable, Quick Start Guide, Genie Backup Assistant software with data restore for Windows, Intego Backup Assistant software with data restore for Macintosh, LaCie Synchronize, Setup assistant, 3 years limited warranty
• Warranty : 3-year limited warranty

You can get the best deal of LaCie Rugged All-Terrain 250 GB, 320 GB, and 500 GB only on Amazon.

I suggest you check out my other guides on: Seagate drive and disk external