As you input more and more data into your computer, you may start to notice that you are running out of available space. You should start to explore you external storage alternatives to decide what will work best for you. Even if it seems like you have enough internal space now, everyone computer will fill to capacity at some point. External drives and CD’s are two of the most common storage options.
An external hard drive is a great way to store data and works great to back it up as well. An external hard drive serves the same function as a regular hard drive except it stands alone outside the main hard drive. Also, it is usually physically larger than a traditional hard drive. It can rest on any flat surface or desktop and can be taken with you.
An external hard drive is connected to the computer with a high-speed interface cable, such as a USB cable. This allows the external hard drive to effectively communicate with the computer system. The external drive can be turned on or off when not in use.
Besides being a secure way to back up files or act as extra storage, one of the main advantages of an external hard drive is that it is portable. This means you can take it with you wherever you go. All you have to do is plug it into a computer and you have access to all of your data.
Some households even keep different drives for different family members. This works as a good way of organizing your information and cuts down on confusion. This way you can also keep sensitive materials away from prying eyes as well.
Overall, the external hard drive is a great solution to storage problems. Another option is to store data on compact discs. CDs have both benefits and disadvantages to using them for data storage.
Storing information on an optical disk such as a CD is another possible solution to your computer storage issues. A CD drive will write data onto a disk using short bursts from a laser. By burning data or information onto a disk it can be stored externally and easily accessed. This way the data is readily available without taking up room on your hard drive.
It is recommended that you keep two copies of CD’s with important information on them stored at two separate locations. Designate one copy as the working copy that will be used frequently, and store the other copy away for safekeeping.
Most CDs are limited to 700 megabytes of storage space. This means that you may need to use several CDs to store a large file. This may become frustrating if you have a large amount of data to store.
While CDs may be effective for storing small files, the amount of the storage process that requires human interaction may make storing significant amounts of files on CDs cumbersome. This is because the process involves inserting discs, running software, removing disks and labeling and cataloging them.
CDs may seem like the least costly solution, but keep in mind that CDs can be easily damaged, lost or stolen. In addition, if you need to store large quantities of data you will need a massive amount of CDs and it can be considerably time consuming. With all of these factors in mind, external drives seem like the less risky and more convenient storage option.
As you can see there are advantages to both external hard drives and CDs for storage solutions. What works best for you will probably depend heavily on your personal needs.
