Therefore, instead of HDD, installing an SSD on a laptop can be a much better option. SSDs are not only fast but also reduces power consumption. Unlike HDD, Solid State Drives don’t have any moving parts. The microchip contains millions of memory cells that store about 3 bits of information each. SSD is a flash storage device that stores the data in a microchip. What is SSD (Solid State Drive), and how it works? Therefore, engineers developed a new type of hard disk called SSD. There was no way to speed up these magnetic storage devices because of the moving parts. Though the SATA cables have a high speed of 600 MB/Sec, the Hard Disk Drives were only able to transfer data at a maximum speed of 80MB/Sec. These cables are very thin and can transfer data at a speed of 600 MB/Sec. Serial-ATA (SATA):Īll modern computers use SATA Hard Drives. Therefore, manufacturers came up with a better solution called SATA cables and SATA hard drives. Moreover, the PATA cables used to be broad in size, which blocked the airflow in the cabinet. The PATA Hard Disks transfer data at a very low speed. You will find PATA hard disks on old computers only. The transfer speed of PATA Hard Drives is not more than 16 MB/Sec. The Parallel-ATA cable transfers data in a parallel way, which was very slow. Previously, we used to connect the hard drives to the motherboard through a PATA cable. The Magnetic Hard Disk Drives come in two variations based on their connection type. Besides the size, there is no difference between them, as both are Magnetic Storage Devices.Īlso Read What is PSU in Computer? Why is it more important than you think? Variations of HDDs:

The 3.5″ HDD is usually used in desktop computers, and the 2.5″ is used in laptops. Today, Hard Disk Drives (HDD) are available in two different sizes, which are 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch. Both Internal and External Hard Drives use magnetic platters to store data. External Hard Drives are portable storage devices, which are smaller in size and connected via USB ports. Internal Hard Drives are placed inside the cabinet and connected to the motherboard via PATA or SATA cables.

Thanks to modern technology, the hard disk we use today sizes just 23 cubic inches and weighs less than 0.3 pounds. Moreover, Hard Disk Drives in 1956 were around 70 cubic feet in size and weighed 2000 pounds.

Whereas, the latest hard disk, produced by Seagate in 2020 can hold up to 18 TB of data. The first-generation hard disk drive manufactured in 1956 had only 3.75 MB of storage.

Difference between ssd and sshd