The Benefits of Using an External SSD

An external SSD - solid state drive
Photo by Avinash Kumar
This is a collaborative post

Solid State Drives, or SSDs, are a new(ish) type of hard disk. They function in much the same way as a USB drive you are used to but with more advanced capabilities. M.2 internal SSDs plug directly into a motherboard socket so are much quicker than a traditional IDE or SATA hard disk drive or even SATA-based SSDs. However, you can also use an external SSD as you would a USB thumb drive. Only you get a more powerful interface overall with incredible speed.

Fast and Secure Backups

Data security is a major issue these days. Whether it’s a social media site you use every day or a faceless hacker trying to steal it, your data is valuable. Backing it up is a crucial step in the right direction. So, why should you backup your data? All types of data, whether it’s personal, sensitive, or creative, are at risk. It’s at risk because data is worth more than gold! That’s not a joke. External SSDs offer a convenient, fast, and secure (with encryption) way to manage data.

Using an External SSD for More Space

One of the main reasons people use external storage is because they simply need more space. Files are getting larger all the time, and there was a time when a 1GB USB stick was more than enough! Today, we use many different files of various sizes. We also love to take photos with our phones and digital cameras. A 64GB USB stick can hold around 53,571 12MP images, but that may not even be enough! Fortunately, SSD drives are available in sizes up to 32TB!

Improving OS Performance

Believe it or not, external SSDs can help your computer run more efficiently. As your internal drive, whether it’s an SSD or HDD, gets full of files, it can disrupt how your operating system, such as Windows, works. Modern drives are much better at managing files these days, but they tend to slow down with more data on them. You can use an external device for non-essential storage. This helps keep your internal drive free of extra stuff and running smoothly.

Using an External SSD for Media

One of the biggest contributors to extra stuff on an internal drive is media files. Media files can get out of hand really quickly. Uncompressed images are a perfect example, which you will know all about if you use digital cameras. External SSDs can help manage your media files:

  • SSDs can transfer large files, such as images, at a much faster speed.
  • Media, such as street photography, can quickly take up space on an internal HDD.
  • You can use multiple SSD devices for specific projects with lots of files.
  • High-speed USB connections make SSDs useful as external media servers.
  • You can use SSDs across multiple platforms and operating systems.

Do you feel yourself getting older when transferring media files at the end of the day? SSDs are much quicker (with USB 3.0 and above) and can remove the monotony of file transfer. However, they are also versatile and can be used across most of the platforms and systems you will use.

Saving Desk Space

Okay, so they’re not as small as a thumb drive, but external SSDs are pretty tiny. Considering the extra storage space, speed and interface they come with,they are impressively small. For example, a Crucial X6  is only about double the size of a standard USB thumbstick. But their external mechanical HDD counterparts are much larger. If space is limited, there is only one option. External SSDs take up almost no space at all and can be moved out of the way too!

It’s Quieter when Using an External SSD

If you can hear a mechanical HDD in an office environment then you probably need a new one! That being said most office noise levels hiver between 45 and 60 dB on average. This isn’t at a dangerous level but it can be uncomfortable for some people. The less noise the better, but with all the desktop PC fans it can get loud. So why add more with a mechanical HDD? An external SSD makes no sound at all. So, imagine if all external HDDs were replaced with SSDs! 

Excellent Portability of Data

External SSDs are excellent extra desktop storage devices. But like USB thumb drives, they are also designed for portability. This means you can unplug them and take them with you wherever you go. This has the distinct advantage of being accessible at any time. Many of us use cloud services today. But internet access isn’t always available and/or reliable. You can take the project files you need with you using an SSD, and you can also install encryption tools.

Summary

You have the advantage of faster and more secure data backup when using an external SSD. This makes them excellent for many file types including media. SSDs are excellent for media including as a server with USB 3.0. However, portability makes them suitable for any task.