Tips – What Size Hard Drive Enclosure do I Need?
Hard drive enclosures offer similar functionality and application as internal hard drives, but in the form of an external hard drive. This platform is a lifesaver for on-the-go workers who need access to data through their computers while expanding the limited space inside the computer.
If you are wondering what a hard drive enclosure does, know that the enclosure helps you retain control over which type of cable is used for connecting the computer, and if the drive requires a power adapter or is portable and uses USB power. The enclosure offers increased flexibility that lets you decide if the drive offers you a fan for cooling or just a quieter metal dissipation system. Deciding on the size of the hard drive enclosure can be hard. So read on to find more on how to choose the right hard drive size and capacity.
Contents
What does a hard drive enclosure do?
Hard drive enclosures are used for housing hard disks externally, offering storage flexibility for any system. The enclosure connects to your computer device using USB or FireWire port, which makes it a plug-and-play device. You can use the enclosure for portability between desktop and laptop, even from home to office. If you are concerned about online threats or outside sources corrupting your data connecting to a network, using an external hard drive enclosure can offer that security.
The external hard drive enclosure is a perfect solution for storing system backups or even copying the main hard disk data to avoid the risk of the main disk failure. In such a main disk failure, the external disk can be removed from the enclosure and can be installed directly into the system as an instant solution. Additionally, if you want an alternative OS, you can install the OS on an external drive to avoid the inconvenience of creating a dual boot system which is a must when loading two operating systems on internal disks. Users can easily boot OS from the external storage device from Motherboard BIOS settings.
Many don’t know how hard drive enclosure works. The drive comes with a spinning plate containing magnetic material. So when the hard drive saves data, an arm writes the copy to the disk so the user can retrieve the data later using the computer that reads the disk. Unlike the old case hard drives, you can find modern enclosures that help you store a substantial amount of data in the hard disk drives.
You can find a variety of connection options for external hard drive enclosures. So before you buy an external hard disk to connect the drive to your computer, you need to check what kind of connectivity ports your computing device has. Even though the majority of HDDs connect via USB, some drives feature advanced systems you might not get the most out of without the correct peripheral ports on the device.
How To Choose A Hard Drive Enclosure?
In order to choose the right size of external hard drives, you need to also know about the different types of external hard drive enclosures available in the market. A majority of users prefer to use two kinds of external hard drives:
- SATA Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
HDDs are the most traditional form of hard drive enclosures for PC storage market segments, as they hold more data than writable DVDs. On any budget, you can get more storage for your PC with an external drive, depending on the disk drive’s capacity and read/write speed.
- Solid State Drives (SSD)
Even though SSDs are not technically hard drives in the traditional sense, they are used for the same purpose. SSD stores data in integrated circuits instead of rotating plates since there is no moving part. In comparison to HDD, SSD offers a greater speed advantage. A typical SSD file would work ten times faster for you and is mostly used in advanced devices. Due to the spectacular speed capacity, they also come at an expensive price compared to equivalent-sized HDDs.
When you don’t require exceptionally fast access and work with resource-intensive graphics or audio applications, HDD would be an ideal option for your external storage requirement.
Key Features of a Hard Drive Enclosure
While deciding on the hard drive size, when you don’t want to account for internal hard drive capacity and the physical size, the more physically smaller the hard drive enclosure you prefer to buy, the more expensive it would be if they have higher storage capacities. However, the price would be worth it, as it offers you more easy portability.
In your purchasing decision, the storage capacity size is also a crucial factor, which is typically measured in gigabytes or terabytes. The smallest external hard drive on the market offers around 128GB, and the biggest sizes fall around the 10TB capacity range. So, you can surely find multiple hard drive enclosure that suits your needs. Consider the below features for buying hard drive enclosures:
- Physical Size
Compared to past desktops, today, most desktops use 3.5-inch drives. However, that size of drive can be too heavy and thick to use for portability. Hence, laptops use 2.5-inch drives as these hard disks are slim, light and use less energy.
- Storage size
You can find high-end 3.5-inch drives with 4TB storage capacity, but expensive laptop drives can range in size from 750GB to 1TB.
- Drive Speed
The high-speed drives available in the market rotate at 10,000 per minute. But most desktop hard drives have 7,200 RPM running ability. Laptops can use drives running up to 5,400RPM to keep the heat, power, and noise level down.
Durable and Convenient Solutions for Your Data – Ugreen Hard Drive Enclosure
Ugreen hard drive enclosures offers a range of options for users who require a durable and convenient solution for their data storage needs. Whether you are looking for a simple and budget-friendly option, or a high-performance enclosure for demanding applications, Ugreen has something for you.
Here are a few key features of the Ugreen hard drive enclosures:
Compatible with multiple types of drives: Ugreen hard drive enclosures are compatible with SATA hard drives and solid-state drives, so you can choose the type of drive that best fits your needs.
Easy to use: The enclosures are easy to install and use, with a simple plug-and-play design that makes it easy to get started with your new drive.
High-speed performance: With USB or Type-C ports, you can enjoy fast data transfer speeds, so you can move large files quickly and easily.
Durable and reliable: Hard drive enclosures from Ugreen are made from high-quality materials, so you can be confident that your data is protected. The enclosures are also designed to be durable, so you can count on them to last for years to come.
Ugreen hard drive enclosures are very affordable, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. Whether you are a professional photographer, videographer, or simply someone who needs a lot of space for your files, Ugreen has a product that will meet your needs.
Conclusion
Now you know how to measure the sizes for your hard drive enclosure requirements. But if you are undecided between two models of different sizes, it’s smart to choose the larger hard drive to use that extra space in the future and come in handy for long-run storage needs. You can go with HDD for a cheaper option, but for professionals where speed is a priority, you can go forward with SSD.
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