Hard Disk Drive

What's a Hard Disk Drive?

The hard drive is the device that stores programs and computer files permanently. You can not forget anything while not receiving power. Other memories from your computer, such as RAM, which is used to run the programs, you need to keep current the information.

How is it organized?

The organization of a hard disk is the responsibility of the operating system. This is responsible for providing service and support to other programs.

Most systems use the concept of file,  a file can be for example a song, a photo or a program. These files can organize them in folders, which in turn may contain other subfolders.

What distinguishes them from each other?

The most important feature of a hard drive is its storage capacity. This is usually measured in Gigabytes. A greater number of them, as many songs, movies, documents, and programs may contain.

Another point to consider is its transfer rate. This defines how long it will access the data you have stored. You can find more information on hard drive specifications.

What types are there?

According to its internal technology

Magnetic. They have several hard drives that are magnetized. These disks spin and a head is responsible for reading the information. It works very similar to the turntable. From here comes the hard concept.

Solid state. Also known as SSD. In this case rotating discs are used not only transistor arrays. Each transistor is responsible for saving a unit of information. There are no moving parts, making access to information more quickly, are more resistant to shock, consume less, do not make noise. His only problem is that they are much more expensive.

According to its interface

The interface is the type of connector used to connect to other devices. The most commonly used in today's computers are IDE and SATA.

IDE is old technology and is the standard SATA which can give you more speed.

Depending on their position

Internal. As its name suggests are inside the PC case.

External. They connect to the PC via a USB or external SATA. Are slower and are used to store information to not use continuously.

What disk do I need?

Like almost everything depends on the use you are going to give and the budget you have available. For a normal user the important thing is not so much the size and type of hard drive. But for a professional user, especially for someone who makes video processing, do not hesitate, and buy an SSD.

What capacity do I need?

It is similar to what happens with the RAM, the more you have the better. No matter what you buy in a few years you'll have completely filled.