Computer Support Blog

For decades, the hard disk drive has been the key aspect of a computer that keeps users’ information and data saved for later access. Without a hard drive to store someone’s files and operating system, a computer cannot function.  Unfortunately, all sorts of technical issues have plagued hard drives over the years.  While people can store more information on their computers and access it faster than ever before, hard drives still fail due to mechanical issues.  Even if a data recovery service can retrieve a user’s files once a hard drive has malfunctioned, the part itself is commonly broken and unusable afterwards.  Fortunately, a new technology can replace the standard hard drive and significantly reduce the occurrence of these issues for many users.  That technology is the solid state drive, or SSD for short. 

What is a solid state drive?

A solid state drive serves the same basic function as a hard disk drive does within a computer.  It stores a user’s files and operating system so he or she can run their software and access their documents, music, videos and other files whenever they want.  However, the technology behind solid state drives is quite different from the hard disk drives most people are accustomed to using.  Hard disk drives have many moving parts including a platter, an actuator, a spindle and an actuator arm.  With all these mechanical pieces, hard disk drives are very susceptible to malfunction and damage from shock and trauma.  Meanwhile, solid state drives do not use mechanical parts in the way that hard disk drives do.  Solid state drives instead utilize an altogether different technology that does not require moving parts to store information and instead uses electrical signals.  The term “solid state” comes from the fact that within solid state drives electrical signals travel through a piece of solid material and do not need numerous moving parts or elements to relay information.  Therefore, solid state drives do not experience the same types of mechanical issues that hard disk drives often encounter.

Solid state drives also offer other advantages over hard disk drives.  Solid state drives consume less power than mechanical hard drives and solid state drives can weigh up to ten times less than a hard disk drive with equivalent storage capability. These advantages in power consumption and weight make solid state drives ideal replacements for hard disk drives in many laptops and mobile devices.  In fact, almost all tablets use solid state drives for storage purposes already.  Newer laptops that use solid state drives often have increased battery life and weigh less due to these technological advantages.

Solid state drives also perform much faster than standard hard disk drives, allowing users to start up their computer and open programs more quickly.  While the weight of a solid state drive is not an issue for users of desktop computers, the added speed that solid state drives bring should tempt many into upgrading their standard hard drives to solid state drives in the future.

So what does the existence of solid state drives mean for you?  As solid state drives become more common, you are likely to see more computers for sale that include them.  When you go shopping for your next computer, make sure you check to see if your options feature this new technology. You could also potentially replace the hard drive in your current PC with a solid state drive, but we recommend consultation with a computer repair professional before trying to do so on your own.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

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Filed under: technology