In today’s technology-dependent world, choosing your gadgets can be tricky. It can sometimes be hard to decide which electronics actually live up to the hype and which will be outdated in a few short months. Regardless of your occupation or lifestyle, though, you’ll probably always have a need for a device to hold your files, and the more portable that device is, the easier it will be to transfer your files to other computers. There are many options available, but two of the most popular are flash drives (also known as thumb drives) and external hard drives. The benefits of these devices and the differences between them are explained below:
Flash Drive Benefits and Drawbacks
Flash drives are portable data storage devices that use flash memory and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. These little gadgets are small enough that they can fit in a pocket, on a keyring, or in a wallet very easily, making them a longtime favorite. They are rewritable, meaning that data can be written and erased over and over again (unlike devices like CDs, which generally offer only one use), and they are extremely durable.
Part of flash drives’ durability is rooted in the fact that they have no moving parts. Because of this, there are few opportunities for the device to malfunction. USB thumb drives also support fast data transfers through a simple connection with your computer, so they’re perfect for storing documents, pictures, videos, and other types of data.
External Hard Drive Benefits and Drawbacks
Like USB flash drives, external hard drives are a popular choice for backing up all sorts of digital information- from work files to family photos. External hard drives are typically capable of holding very large amounts of information and can back up a main internal hard drive or hold an entire operating system.
In essence, external hard drives have the same hardware that is installed in your desktop or laptop computer, but instead of being contained within the computer, they are connected by a USB cable or Firewire. Many external hard drives include built-in encryption capabilities that allow private data to remain hidden from prying eyes, making them a popular choice for those with sensitive data.
While external hard drives are still portable, they are much less portable than flash drives. For one, they are much larger (about 6 inches long versus flash drives’ 2 inches). What’s more, external hard drives are much less durable than flash drives. Their moving electronic parts make them much more susceptible to failure, and their general fragility make them much more prone to sustaining lasting damage. Some, for example, have been known to completely shatter when dropped off of a desk, whereas durable USB flash drives can be tossed around with little thought about their ability to withstand the abuse.
If you need a way to back up files or you require the means to transport data between work, home, or school, consider the benefits and drawbacks of flash drives and external hard drives. External hard drives can hold larger amounts of data, but they’re also less portable and more fragile. And whereas flash drives can’t yet hold as much information, they are also far cheaper and much more durable. Whatever you decide, be sure to back up your important data in another location- just to be safe!
CFgear
If you decide that the flash drive profile fits your needs, then it’s important to find a reputable source from which to purchase your flash drives. CFgear offers custom USB flash drives to K-12 schools, colleges/universities, and corporations throughout the United States, and for years, CFgear has served thousands of schools and over 90% of Fortune 500 companies. With CFgear, your flash drive dream is possible where any shape, color and style flash drive can become a reality. What’s more, you can buy with complete confidence knowing that each and every one of their flash drives is backed by a lifetime guarantee. Visit their website or call them today at 800.371.1984.
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