What exactly is an SSD Drive?
You may not know what an SSD, or Solid State Drive, is. But if you store important information on your computer, it’s a technology in which you should invest.
A Solid State Drive is a more durable replacement for the standard disk drives found in computers. These drives can work with desktop, notebook, netbook or laptop computers. Consumers can even connect SSDs externally to any type of computer. SSDs are just a bank of memory chips on a circuit board. Simple, but effective!
The biggest difference between SSD Drives and standard hard disk drives is that the later have multiple moving parts that are used to store data. This makes hards disks more susceptible to serious damage if a computer is bumped hard enough while the hard disk drive is in use. Such damage can result in the loss of important data. This should not happen with ssd hards drives.
No Moving Parts!
SSDs, though, have no moving parts. This makes them more resistant to slight knocks or even drops. These devices are built entirely from solid state memory chips, similar to the computer memory in personal or notebook computers.
However, when users turn their computers off, the data stored in their machine’s computer memory is automatically lost. If that same data is stored on a Solid State Drive, though, it will be retained even after the computer shuts down.
Fans of SSD Drives often think of them as extra-large USB sticks. The main difference is that the memory capacity of SSD devices are so large that they can actually replace an entire computer hard disk, something that no USB stick can do currently.
More Robust, Quieter and Quicker
Because they lack moving parts, these disk-less drives are far less fragile than their hard disk cousins. This is why they have become the data storage medium of choice for netbook and notebook computers. Portable computers suffer more dings and bangs than do desktop versions. These new memory-only drives can stand up to the punishment.
Solid State Drives are also quicker than are standard hard disk drives. Again, it comes down to the moving parts. Hard disk drives have mechanical delays when accessing information. SSDs do not.
These drives also, again because they lack moving parts, can operate without cooling fans, meaning that computers running a SSD are far quieter than those relying on hard disk drives.
Solid State Drive and Hard Disk Visual Comparison
Take note of what you see in this picture.
The hard disk drive on the left has one or more disk platters that spin at high speed and read/right heads that must access the data off the spinning disks. Knock this when it is in operation and you are asking for disaster!
In comparison the solid state drive on the right has no disk platter but just memory chips and no moving parts at all. Obviously a much more robust solution!
Prices Are Dropping All The Time!
The only thing currently preventing SSD Drives from gaining immediate mass popularity is price. These drives tend to be a bit more expensive than standard hard disk drives. But this is all changing.
Technology analysts believe that this will soon change. As more computer users learn about the benefits of Solid State Drives, more will want them. This will force manufacturers to build these drives more efficiently, eventually driving down their price tags even more.
Even now you can get great deals on these amazing new drives!
