What Is a Hard Disk Drive (HDD)?
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a type of storage device that is commonly used in computers. It is called a “hard” drive because it uses a physical spinning disk to store data, as opposed to solid-state drives (SSDs) which use memory chips.
There are several different types of HDD drives that are used for different purposes. The most common types of HDD drives include:
Internal hard drives: These are the most common type of HDD and are installed inside a computer. They are used to store the operating system, applications, and other data that is needed to run a computer.
External hard drives: These are HDD drives that are designed to be used outside of a computer. They are typically connected to a computer using a USB cable and are used to store data that is not needed on a regular basis or to transfer data between computers.
Network-attached storage (NAS) drives: These are HDD drives that are connected to a network and can be accessed by multiple devices on that network. They are often used in small businesses or home office environments to store and share data.
Solid-state hybrid drives (SSHDs): These are HDD drives that combine the best features of both traditional HDDs and SSDs. They use a small amount of solid-state memory to store frequently accessed data, which can improve performance.
HDD drives are still widely used because they offer a good balance of cost and storage capacity. However, SSDs are becoming increasingly popular because they are faster and more energy efficient. It is important to carefully consider your storage needs when choosing between an HDD and an SSD.
