Examining SSD vs HDD is a common occurrence for anyone planning to buy a brand-new laptop. HDD was once the norm and is still a very popular option, but the emergence of SSD has made this type of storage very attractive to anyone who wants to access their data in a second. This doesn’t mean that HDD storage is obsolete; it also offers numerous advantages to a large number of users.
Exploring both storage options before you actually go out and purchase a laptop is important and should be at the top of your to-do list. Each of them has its own unique features that will be useful to you in the long run, depending on the work you plan to do on your future laptop. So let’s dive into this topic, see all the pros and cons, and help you make the best possible decision.
No.1. What is a solid state hard drive?
If you are completely unfamiliar with the technology behind solid state drives, we will make this as straightforward as possible. The main feature of a solid state hard drive is the fact that it has no moveable or mechanical parts. There are no motors or heads inside it, and it pretty much resembles a flash memory. You probably own a USB drive; SSD is not much different when it comes to the way it works. Of course, SSD is slightly better in terms of performance.
All the data is saved and stored on tiny microchips and the drive does not search for it all over the place. Instead, the files can be accessed quickly. If your operating system is located on a solid state hard drive, the booting time will be significantly shorter. Solid state hard drives are more expensive, but they are very useful if you need to increase the speed of your laptop or decrease power consumption.
No.2. What is a hard disk drive?
HDD, or a hard disk drive, uses completely different data storage technology. It has disks which are magnetized, and the data is written on them using magnetic heads. The performance of a hard disk drive depends on the time it takes for a head to connect with a specific cylinder, as well as data access and load time. Unlike solid state hard drives, HDDs are motorized and visibly slower.
Hard disk drives have been around for decades and are still very popular among users of all types. This storage option can also be paired with an SSD when possible. HDDs are preferred in terms of capacity, as they can hold a lot more data than a solid state hard drive. The storage space can be very large as compared to an SSD, so if you need more memory and are not too concerned about speed, a hard disk drive might be the better solution.
No.3. SSD advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- What makes SSD so useful is the fact that it is incredibly fast. If your primary goal is to have a speedy laptop that can load files and different applications in a second, SSD is something you should consider.
- What makes SSD so useful is the fact that it is incredibly fast. If your primary goal is to have a speedy laptop that can load files and different applications in a second, SSD is something you should consider.
- If you choose to use your SSD as a boot drive, you can expect the system to be up and running in under a minute. It is also very useful for graphic designers and engineers who use demanding software which usually take ages to load. Installing these applications on an SSD drive will make them boot up in no time. Plus, the file transfer will be faster, so copying files from an SSD to a USB will be super quick.
- Additionally, SSD can survive physical damage. This means that if you drop your laptop, you’ll very likely recover all your data. SSD is built without any moveable parts and will not break easily. Plus, SSD is super silent and makes no noise at all. Hard disks are mechanical and can be a bit noisy. If you want a stealthy laptop that works amazingly well, SSD should be your choice.
Disadvantages
- Unfortunately, SSD also has a couple of disadvantages. The first one is price. Even though solid state hard drives have never before been cheaper, they are still quite expensive. Therefore, if you go for a laptop with a built-in SSD, chances are the computer will have a higher price as compared to a similar model that comes with an HDD.
- Then, there is storage space. Even though a couple of major manufacturers are making large solid state hard drives, they are hard to find (and the price tag is quite high). If you plan to rely on an SSD for only storage, you will quickly run out of available space.
- All the data is saved and stored on tiny microchips and the drive does not search for it all over the place. Instead, the files can be accessed quickly. If your operating system is located on a solid state hard drive, the booting time will be significantly shorter. Solid state hard drives are more expensive, but they are very useful if you need to increase the speed of your laptop or decrease power consumption.
No.4. HDD advantages and disadvantages
- Laptops with a standard hard disk are generally cheaper because HDD is not pricey at all. You will be able to purchase plenty of storage space for a fraction of the price. It is an excellent option for anyone working on a tight budget and looking to save a couple hundred bucks. Hard disks are still more common than solid state hard disks and are super affordable.
- If storage space is your main concern, you can rely completely on an HDD. 1TB of HDD is standard for a mid-range laptop, so you’ll have plenty of space to work with. You can go for a bigger HDD if needed and it will not have a significant impact on the overall price.
- Hard disks are slower than solid state hard disks, so boot time will be lengthy. The same goes for opening various programs, files, etc. Data transfer will be prolonged as well. This doesn’t have to be a deal breaker because your computer will still run perfectly fine with an HDD. It might not be as fast as lightning, but it will do the work.
- Fragmentation is something that might occur in hard disks which are almost filled to capacity. This means large files will be saved in fragments all over the disk. The magnetic head has to work harder to find all the parts and load them up as a single one. This can slow down your laptop and require more of your time. Because SSD uses a completely different technology to write the files, fragmentation will not happen.
- Hard disks are more prone to physical damage since they have moving parts that can be broken if the laptop slips out of your hands and lands on a hard surface. File recovery will be next to impossible if you really bang up your computer.
No.5. SSD vs HDD lifespan
- SSD does have a bad reputation for not being as reliable as HDD. It can easily wear out and become almost unusable. HDDs are completely different; the only trouble you might encounter is with one of the mechanical parts. However, recent studies have shown that there’s nothing to be worried about and that an SSD’s lifespan can be quite long, especially if you treat it right and install your SSD properly.
- We have already touched upon the durability of the drives in case of physical stress. Solid state hard disks can survive accidents and are an excellent choice for people who are not very careful with their laptops. The data will remain saved and you’ll be able to recover it easily. Hard disks will likely suffer more damage, especially if you drop your laptop while it’s writing data. Mechanical parts will probably break, which can really damage the magnetic disk.
- Both HDD and SSD will last for years. However, chances are you’ll run out of space on an SSD because it has less available storage. You can always switch to cloud storage but this might not be an acceptable option for all users. HDDs are very reliable; unless you break one of the mechanical parts, your data will be safe. Keep in mind that an HDD might get slower once you start filling up the storage space
No.5. SSD vs HDD for gaming
- When it comes to gaming performance, both HDD and SSD will be useful. HDD offers more storage, while SSD will load your games in a couple of seconds. If you end up with both SSD and HDD, you can use the latter for storing various files, then keep your operating system and games on an SSD.
- However, it might not have a significant impact on the gaming quality overall. If you are having trouble with frame rates and the movement in your video games feels odd, we suggest that you take a closer look at the GPU and upgrade it if needed. This is a recommended step if you plan on using your laptop for gaming only.
- Both drives can be used in gaming laptops, but SSD will give you a shorter game launch time. HDD might be an option if you have a large video game collection and if storing all of it on an SSD is out of the question. If you are concerned about the speed of your laptop, SSD is the clear winner. However, make sure you coordinate the rest of the specs as well. This will give you a better gaming experience and make your computer incredibly fast.
No.7. SSD vs HDD speed
If you have used only HDD and decide to upgrade to SSD, you’ll immediately notice a huge difference in terms of speed. Reading and writing data on SSD is a fast process and will be completed in a second or two. Booting your system from SSD is super easy and can save you a lot of time, especially if you tend to shut down your laptop regularly throughout the day.
The only downside might be the size of an SSD, but there are numerous models that combine both SSD and HDD. You can store all your frequently used applications on SSD for quick access, then keep files and media on HDD. If the laptop you plan on purchasing has HDD only, see if it can be upgraded with an additional SSD, especially if speed is important to you and your work.
If you plan to use your new laptop for graphic design work, installing Photoshop or Illustrator on an SSD is a very smart move. These applications take a long time to load when using HDD. Therefore, when we consider SSD vs HDD in terms of speed, SSD is a clear winner, and it can be super useful in many situations. Laptops with only SSD are usually slimmer, lighter, and more travel friendly. They might not have an upgrade option, so go for a larger SSD storage if possible.
No.8. SSD vs HDD price
When SSD first appeared, the price was high and not everyone could afford it. HDD remained the only option. However, SSDs are now cheaper than ever and are getting very close to the price range of the largest hard disks. Therefore, SSDs are not so exclusive anymore.
Of course, the price tag depends on the size, so if you are looking to save a couple of bucks, going for a large SSD might not be the best option. On the other hand, 128GB and 250GB SSD are super affordable and you can easily upgrade your laptop and install them down the road (if your laptop is capable of customization). Keep in mind that some laptops are impossible to upgrade and that you might damage some of the key components in the process.
HDD is still very affordable. It is a budget-friendly option for anyone who needs more storage space on their laptop; you can easily get 2TB of space for a super low price. You can go even higher and it will not have a significant impact on the price of your future laptop. So make a realistic assessment of your needs and decide whether you need speed or extra storage on your disk.
Conclusion
When we compare SSD vs HDD, we find a lot of obvious differences. Of course, both disks have their pros and cons. Even though HDD uses older technology and is mechanical, it is still a good option for anyone who needs more storage space on their laptop. Yes, HDD is slower and noisy, and it consumes more energy, but you’ll have all the data with you and there will be no need for cloud storage.
On the other hand, SSD is fast as lightning and will improve the general performance of your laptop. Opening applications and file transfers will be super-fast, and booting your system from an SSD will take less than a minute. It is slightly more expensive than HDD, but the price is slowly dropping and you can probably afford a 128GB SSD without going over your laptop budget.
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