Do I only need an external hard drive if my internal drive is full?Īn external drive can provide more benefits than you might imagine, and isn’t only useful when your internal drive is full. You can also use an external hard drive to: An external drive is an additional storage space where you can store your files to free up important space for your internal drive.Įxternal hard drives are available in varying storage capacities, but all can be connected to a computer either by USB, eSATA, FireWire, or wirelessly through Bluetooth. If you’re a power PC user, or if you’ve just had your computer for a long time, your internal hard drive is bound to run out of storage space.Īll those documents and pictures and software that you’ve been accumulating over the years will eventually take up too much of your hard drive space. This device is an add-on, and it supplements storage, providing extra space for files that no longer fit on your internal drive. Instead, it serves as a supplement to the internal drive, and your computer will work with or without the external drive plugged in. Unlike an internal drive, an external drive is not needed for your computer to function. You can think of an external hard drive as a regular, internal hard drive that has been removed from your computer, given its lovely casing, and attached to a port. It sits separate from your computer and has a very durable shell that makes it both portable and perfect for a desktop workspace. Īn external hard drive, on the other hand, is what we might call a digital outdoorsman.

It’s never meant to see the light of day. As the name implies, an internal drive is located within the laptop or desktop unit. Just as your body can’t function without a heart, your computer can’t function without an internal hard drive. An internal drive (not to be confused with your willpower) stores all of your computer’s memory - your documents, your pictures, your videos, your software.

What’s an external hard drive?Įvery computer has an internal hard drive.

So what are the best external hard drives for storage purposes? Let’s dive into some of our favourite models on the market, so you can select the right external hard drive for your needs.

Best hard drive portable