SSD vs HDD
SSD vs HDD storage: advantages and disadvantages compared, and data backup advice
For some years now, traditional hard drives have gradually been replaced by SSDs (Solid State Drives) in computers, both in laptops and in desktop computers. IAV S.à r.l. has been fitting SSDs in its customers’ computers since 2009. Let us review the advantages and disadvantages of SSDs compared with hard drives.
The advantages of SSDs
First of all, SSDs have a faster access time than traditional hard drives. Unlike hard drives, they do not need to move a read head to read data, which results in much faster access to stored data. As a result, loading times for applications, files and operating systems are considerably reduced, which clearly improves the overall speed of the computer.
In addition, SSDs are much more resistant to shocks and vibrations than traditional hard drives. Hard drives have disks spinning at high speed, with read and write heads positioned very close to the platters. These heads can be damaged by shocks or vibrations. SSDs have no moving parts. This makes them more reliable for mobile use, such as in laptops.
What is more, SSDs are more energy efficient than hard drives. SSDs do not need to keep disks spinning constantly to access data, which saves energy. This means longer battery life on laptops.
The disadvantages of SSDs
SSDs also have disadvantages. First of all, SSDs have a limited lifespan in terms of data writes. The storage cells of an SSD can only be written a limited number of times, which means that an SSD wears out with the volume of data written to it. The manufacturer states this endurance in terabytes written (TBW).
In addition, SSDs are more expensive than traditional hard drives in terms of cost per gigabyte, which can make upgrading a computer more expensive.
Finally, for the same budget, an SSD offers less storage capacity than a hard drive.
The importance of backups
It is important to note that, whatever type of storage you use (SSD or hard drive), it is always advisable to back up your important data regularly. SSDs can fail too, which can lead to data loss, so backing up is essential.
We recommend that our customers follow the 3-2-1 backup model to keep their data safe. The 3-2-1 model means having at least three copies of your important data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy off site (for example in the cloud) for extra redundancy and to protect against natural disasters or other similar incidents.
By following the 3-2-1 model, customers can make sure that their data is protected against potential loss, whether caused by hardware failure or human error.
At IAV S.à r.l., we help our customers set up effective backup solutions to protect their important data and keep their business running in the event of data loss.
To avoid losing your important data, it is crucial to back up your files regularly. Data loss can be irreversible, as you can see in this article in which we tried in vain to recover the data from a USB flash drive.
Portable SSDs
Portable external SSDs are a convenient and fast storage solution for anyone who needs to carry their data with them. Thanks to their small size and high storage capacity, they easily fit in a pocket or a rucksack, and they offer a reliable and fast alternative to traditional external hard drives.
What is more, external SSDs have the advantage of being more resistant to shocks and vibrations, which makes them more durable when travelling. They can also be used with a range of devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. They are a versatile storage solution.
If you are looking for a portable external SSD, you can browse our selection of recommended products on Amazon.
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Our choice is the SanDisk Extreme 1 TB NVMe SSD (1050 MB/s), because we also use it in house. It came with a USB-C cable and a USB-A 3.0 adapter. This SSD is not the fastest: the Extreme PRO model goes up to 2000 MB/s.
SanDisk Extreme 1 TB NVMe SSD
(1050 MB/s)
SanDisk Extreme PRO 1 TB NVMe SSD
(2000 MB/s)
In conclusion
SSDs offer significant advantages over traditional hard drives in terms of speed, durability and energy efficiency. However, SSDs also have disadvantages, such as lower capacity for the same price, limited write endurance and a higher cost. At IAV S.à r.l., we recommend SSDs to customers who want to improve the speed and reliability of their computers, but we also make a point of informing our customers about the potential drawbacks of SSDs and the risk of data loss.