What Is External Storage Sebastian, 21 July 2023 **External Storage: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding It** Have you ever wondered what external storage is and its purpose? With the rapid growth of technology, it’s hard to keep up with the new terms being introduced. If you’re searching for detailed information on external storage, you’re at the right place. **What Is External Storage?** External storage, as the name suggests, is a storage device that can store large amounts of data outside of your computer or laptop. External storage devices come in various sizes, types, and shapes. They’re designed to provide an additional storage option when the internal hard drive becomes full. External storage devices can be connected to a computer through various methods such as USB, FireWire, eSATA, and Thunderbolt. **Types of External Storage Devices** There are several types of external storage devices available, and here are some of the most common: 1. **Hard Disk Drive (HDD)**: Hard Disk Drives are among the most popular external storage devices, and they’ve been in use for many years. They’re affordable, come in various sizes, and can store large amounts of data. HDDs use magnetic disks to store data, and the disks are enclosed in a protective casing. 2. **Solid-State Drives (SSD)**: Solid-state drives are faster and more reliable than traditional HDDs. They’re designed without any moving parts, making them more durable than HDDs. SSDs have a higher price point but offer a faster transfer rate and response time. 3. **Flash Drives**: Flash drives are small enough to fit in your pocket and are used for data transfer. They don’t have large storage capacities compared to HDDs and SSDs, but they’re affordable and can store and transfer data with ease. 4. **Memory Cards**: Memory cards are popular in cameras, phones, and other portable devices. They’re small, cheap, and can store a moderate amount of data. **Benefits of External Storage** External storage devices provide several benefits, including: 1. **Additional Storage**: External storage devices offer additional storage to your computer, allowing you to store large files such as videos, pictures, and music without slowing down your computer. 2. **Portability**: External storage devices are designed to be portable, allowing you to carry them around with you. You can use them with different devices and transfer data from one device to another. 3. **Backup**: External storage devices can be used to back up your computer’s data, protecting it from data loss due to crashes, viruses, or theft. **External Storage Buying Guide** When purchasing an external storage device, there are several factors to consider. Here are the most important ones: 1. **Storage Capacity**: The storage capacity of the external storage device is an essential factor to consider. You can choose from various sizes, ranging from a few gigabytes to terabytes. The larger the storage capacity, the more expensive the device will be. 2. **Speed**: The speed of the device determines how fast it can transfer data. SSDs are faster than HDDs, but they come with a higher price point. 3. **Connectivity**: Check the compatibility of the device with the connection ports available on your computer. Some devices come with multiple connectivity options, while others only offer one. 4. **Durability**: If you’re planning to use the device for travel, consider purchasing one that’s durable and can withstand drops, bumps, and other accidents. **Setting Up External Storage** Here are the steps to follow when setting up an external storage device: 1. **Connect the Device**: Plug the device into your computer’s USB port. 2. **Format the Device**: Before you can use the device, you need to format it. Formatting a device erases all data, so backup your data before proceeding. 3. **Naming the Device**: Once the device is formatted, give it a name. This makes it easy to recognize the device when transferring data. 4. **Transferring Data**: Drag and drop files into the external storage device or use file transfer software. **Conclusion** External storage devices are helpful for storing large amounts of data outside of your computer. They’re portable, provide additional storage, and can be used for backup. Before purchasing an external storage device, consider the storage capacity, speed, connectivity, and durability. When setting up the device, connect it to your computer, format it, name it, and transfer data into it. With this guide, we hope you have a better understanding of external storage and its benefits. Internet