What is an SSD?
While you may be familiar with the term SDD, does that mean you really understand SSDs and how they work? So, what is an SSD? SSD stands for Solid State Drive, which is a storage medium that has a chip in it to write and read data.
SSDs use chips or flash memory to work. Every data will be processed using a digital system without any lag.
Pros and Cons of SSDs
Coming with the latest technology compared to HDDs, SSDs certainly offer a number of advantages. But it also has disadvantages that you should also consider before choosing it. What are they?
Pros
- Speed in reading and writing data
- Fast boot time
- Better performance
- Resistant to shock
- Save on power usage
- No noise so it's more comfortable
Disadvantages
- Relatively more expensive than HDD
- Limited storage capacity
- Risk that data cannot be recovered if the chip is damaged
What is HDD?
Before SSDs became popular, there were HDDs. What are HDDs and are they better than SSDs?
HDD is hardware that functions as a medium for storing data on devices such as computers, laptops, or servers. To process data, HDDs use moving disk plates.
HDDs work with a mechanical system that reads files in one swipe motion so there is a lag in processing the data.
Pros and Cons of HDD
Just like SSDs, HDDs also have advantages that set them apart from SSDs, but they are also not free from disadvantages. To be sure to choose an HDD, consider the following advantages and disadvantages of HDDs:
Pros
- Large storage capacity
- Affordable price
Disadvantages
- Quite noisy
- Wasteful use of electricity
SSD and HDD Comparison
- Many are still confused about whether to use SSD or HDD to suit their needs. So, it's a good idea to find out what are the advantages and disadvantages of SSDs and HDDs and the differences between the two.
Here are some of the differences you can find between SSDs and HDDs:
Speed
The first difference between SSD and HDD is the speed. The speed here is the speed at which data is processed. With the chip memory method, SDDs can process data without any moving parts so there is no lag in processing data.
Therefore, SSDs have read and write performance that is much faster than HDDs by about 25 to 100 times. This speed certainly makes it easier for users in various jobs, such as opening programs quickly, fast boot processes, and being able to open multiple programs at the same time without lagging problems.
When it comes to choosing between SSD or HDD, you can consider the speed of each option. So, which one will be your choice?
Durability
The durability of the components is also a differentiator between SSDs and HDDs. As mentioned earlier, SSDs don't have any drive components and are therefore safer against shocks.
If the device is shaken, the data stored on the chip remains safe. This is not the case with HDDs as their components are easily damaged. This results in data that is at risk of being easily lost. Why? In HDDs, data is stored on a disk that is at risk of being damaged when shaken.
Energy efficiency
The difference between SSDs and HDDs can also be found in their energy-use efficiency. SSDs do not require mechanical operation thanks to the chip inside. So, in order to process data, it doesn't require much electrical power.
HDDs, on the other hand, require a mechanical system to keep the disk spinning to process data. That means HDDs use more electrical power.
In other words, in terms of energy efficiency, SSDs are superior to HDDs.
More reasons to choose SSD over HDD?
Capacity
What about the capacity on SSDs and HDDs? Well, for those of you who want to know what are the differences between SSD and HDD, pay attention to their respective capacities.
Despite being superior in some ways, SSDs have a smaller capacity than HDDs. In general, SSDs offer 128 - 256 GB capacity but you can still upgrade. If the SSD memory is getting full and can no longer accommodate more storage, there is no other choice but to increase the memory.
Adding more memory means more expenses so you have to pay attention to that as well. Due to their larger capacity, HDDs usually come with 500 GB of memory in general. However, there are also those that offer a larger capacity as their maximum limit.
With the advantages of HDD on memory capacity, are you getting confused in making your choice?
Age Limit
Another difference between SSDs and HDDs is the age limit. SSDs can last up to 10 years of use. Meanwhile, HDDs have a shorter lifespan, about half the lifespan of SSDs, which is 3-5 years.
Price
Before deciding which is better, SSD or HDD, you should check your budget. It is true that the use of SSD or HDD should be tailored to your needs. However, you shouldn't ignore the price either.
SSDs are known as a new technology. So, it's no surprise that they are more expensive than HDDs, especially with all the advantages they offer including fast data processing.
The price is quite different because an SSD with a capacity of 256 GB is almost the same as an HDD with a capacity of 1 TB. Generally, the price range of SSDs is between Rp 800 thousand to Rp 5 million.
Impact on Parent Device
Both SSDs and HDDs have different characteristics that make them unique. Unfortunately, this has an impact on the host device on which they are installed.
When the mechanical components on the HDD work, it usually makes a noise that some people might find annoying. The sound from the HDD tends to be quiet and does not heat up easily because there are no moving components when the device is working.
The noise also affects the comfort when using the device, doesn't it?
Which is the Right Choice, SSD or HDD?
When it comes to the most appropriate choice, it certainly comes down to your individual needs. Looking at some of the differences between SSD and HDD, you might be able to judge which storage media is the most appropriate, whether SSD or HDD.
For those who want to gain advantages in data processing, durability, and convenience, SSDs are superior to HDDs. This means that they can choose SSDs as a good choice. But when considering price, HDDs are much more cost-effective than SSDs.
For about the same budget, HDDs offer several times more storage memory capacity than SSDs. In this case, if you're looking to get more storage with more memory capacity at a more affordable price, HDDs are the winner.
