iconTop 5 external hard drives



What is a hard disk drive?

Different from the soft disk or floppy, a hard disk is the magnetic disk on which the computer date is stored. Compared with the soft disk, a hard disk can store many times larger data and can process it at a much faster rate and it is  taken as a deciding factor in ranking top five external hard drives. A single hard disk consists of many platters and each platter requires two read and write heads because both sides of the platter are coated and store data.

What is an external hard drive?

An external hard drive is just similar to the convention hard drive but exists outside the computer and is contained in its own outer case, is detachable and portable. All of the top 5 external hard drives can be easily connected to the computer system through a single high speed interface cable with an interface like USB. External hard drive comprises of the platters, the spindle and spindle motor, the read and writes heads, and the head actuator. The Platters are sensitive parts, therefore should be handled exclusively by trained IT professional.

Is there any advantage of external hard drive?

An obvious advantage of the external hard drive is that, it is portable, can be carried easily and kept under lock and key in safe custody. The data can be encrypted for safety and in case it is stolen or lost, no one can steal its contents except that the data code only can be retrieved, which is not usable without password. In addition to securing sensitive information an external hard drive has also the added advantage of data back up. A disadvantage is the limited memory of the external hard drive ,which can not serve as the whole computer system back up.

Top 5 External Hard Drives

Top 5 external hard drives

In consideration of the memory, spin rate, size, price, consumer satisfaction reviews, price, and distinguishing features, the following are promoted as top five external hard drives:
Seagate Black armor PS 110 with USB 3.0 (500GB) 7,200 rpm spin rate, 0.5x3.2x5.1 inches (HWD), $ 179.99 (direct), Maximum read and write speed in a portable drive.

  • ioSafe Solo,500 GB capacity, USB
  • interface, 7200 rpm spin rate, 7.1x 5x 11 inches,  Fire proof, water proof data safety
  • Seagate FreeAgent Go (320 GB), USB 2.0 interface, 5400 rpm spin rate, 0.5x 3x .1 inches, Sleek design and bundled back up software.
  • CMS Automatic Backup System 9500 GB), USB interface, 5200 rpm spin rate, 1.2x 3.4 x 5.1 inches 119.99 $, A complete system backup.
  • Western Digital Book Studio Edition 2 (4TB) (two TB drives inside),USB, Fire wire, 6.5x 3.9x 6 inches, Speedy transfer over  eSATA and Firewire,  $289

Other External Hard Drives

 In addition to the above, some other, 2011 best external Hard Drive reviews having different opinion and rate the following as top five external hard drives:
 (1).My Passport Essential, (2).Click Free C2N, (3).StoreJet 25 M3, (4).e Go Portable Hard Drive, (5) Rikki USB 3.0