The fact that at the dawn of the computer age the memory capacity of 640 kilobytes seemed bottomless, today it seems ridiculous and ridiculous. This figure, like a drop in the ocean, has long been lost in the ocean of information, most of which is multimedia content. The quality of photo and video images, as well as audio recordings, is becoming more and more perfect, respectively, more voluminous.
Where now to store the gigabyte collections and how them to transfer? If you are tired of messing with disks, that is a more acceptable solution: a portable( or external) hard drive. Despite the widespread use of such devices, many users still do not know which external hard drive to choose. In this article we will talk about the best manufacturers of such devices. The place in the ranking depended on the following factors:
- performance;
- functionality and convenience;
- cost justification.
Buffalo
In the US and Japanese computer equipment markets, Buffalo's products have established an undisputed leadership. At us this company is not so well-known, as hard disks Buffalo appeared in the Russian market only in 2011 year. Their quality does not need to be discussed long. Suffice it to mention that most of the devices are not only being developed, but also manufactured in Japan. At the same time, their cost is far from sky-high, the company's products are quite affordable.
External drives of this brand, such as the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme, feature rich functionality( this includes both hardware and software) and an impeccable design. The shockproof case protects the disk from damage in the event of a fall from a height of up to 2 meters( of course, in idle state).
Flexible cable for connecting to a computer hides inside the case and does not interfere with the transfer, which distinguishes this drive from competitors' models. After all, the cable is a perennial problem for the user: it's uncomfortable to wear, it's easy to lose, or you can leave it at home.
The Winchester Buffalo MiniStation Extreme is equipped with quality backup software, with an intuitive interface, compatible with Apple's Time Machine technology and is able to encrypt the data on a 256-bit key.
Average read / write speed: 44.5 / 37.9 MB / s.
Transcend
For more than 9 years, this company, known for its flash drives, has been manufacturing portable HDDs. The test involved the Transcend StoreJet 25D3.The design of the device can be called not striking: a strict black case with a dual-mode LED.Red light means that the disk is connected via USB 2.0, blue corresponds to the USB 3.0 bus.
The casing design protects the disc from damage when striking. An important feature - the presence of a separate connector for additional power. This option can be useful when there is no USB 3.0 port on the laptop. As you know, USB 2.0 port gives less current, which may not be enough to spin the drive. The cable for additional power is included.
Reading speed:
- average: 38.7 MB / s;
- by random recording: 31.5 MB / s.
External drive from Transcend is completed with a cover.
Freecom
The website of this company reports that Freecom is a German brand. In fact, the company belongs to the Japanese corporation Mitsubishi. In the domestic market, this brand has appeared relatively recently and has not yet managed to gain wide popularity.
The highlight of the Freecom XXS Leather is a non-removable leather case. Such a design can rightly be considered the most original, but it requires careful handling: if you carry a disc in your pocket with keys or small items, scratches may appear on the case.
Another bonus from Freecom is the very useful utility Nero BackItUp and Burn.
Performance:
- average read speed: 44.6 MB / s;
- speed with random recording: 38.6 MB / s.
Western Digital
Those who happened to work in their time on computers with a hard drive less than one gigabyte, probably remember this brand. In the world of computer devices, WD's peers are almost gone. The company's products have always been of good quality and durability, their traditions WD does not change today.
Selected for testing WD My Passport Essential does not differ much from competitors. Although, one thing, however, was exceptional: an external WD drive was the most affordable. When recalculating the cost of one gigabyte of disk space was 5.4 rubles. So, if you intend to purchase a quality device at an affordable price, it's better to buy an external hard drive from Western Digital.
The drive performance was quite modern: the average read speed was 38.7 MB / s, recording - 27.9 MB / s.
WD drive can be considered the winner in the category "Justified price".Buying this device, you only pay for the disk, backup software and USB cable for the laptop.
Seagate
The products of this company to our users are known for a very long time and are characterized only by positive feedback.
Seagate Goflex external hard drives feature the ability to quickly replace the interface connector, which is attached to the drive in a manner similar to that of a child's designer. In the basic configuration there is a USB 3.0 connector, but the user can easily upgrade the device by purchasing a module with a FireWire or SATA connector.
However, this innovation will cost the user quite expensive: one gigabyte of disk space of the external drive Seagate Goflex costs about 10 rubles, while the average value for the same devices from competitors is only 6 rubles. If this price seems frightening, then it's better to choose a model with a standard connector.
The metal body of the drive turned out to be the thinnest: its thickness is only 9 mm.
