6 Things to Consider When Buying an External Hard Drive for Your Business

Given the amount of data that businesses now store on computers, storage can become a big problem. If you have too much on there, the system can slow down considerably. This can put businesses in a difficult situation, as you cannot afford to have slow-running systems but you also need to be able to store and access important files.

An external hard drive is an ideal solution for smaller businesses. These hard drives simply connect up to your system and files can be transferred over to free up more space on your computer. You will then have the files you need safely stored and easily accessible. At the same time, you will have cleared storage space and memory on your computer, which means that the performance won’t suffer.

Choosing the right external hard drive

When you are buying an external hard drive for your business, you need to consider a number of key factors. This will help to ensure you make the right choice in terms of the drive you select. There are a number of important points that you need to take into consideration before you make your purchase. This includes:

1. Which type should you get? There are two main options when it comes to external hard drives. The first is a Solid-state Drive (SSD), which offers much faster speeds but is also the more costly option. The second is the hard disk drive (HDD), which is far cheaper but not as fast. You need to determine which of these external drives is going to suit your needs and your budget.
2. How much will it cost? As mentioned above, SSDs are more expensive than HDDs. However, you still need to consider the cost no matter which one you opt for. The cost of external drives can vary considerably depending on a range of factors, so make sure you know what your maximum limit is. If you want to reduce costs, take advantage of the discount deals through OZCodes.com.au, as this will help to cut the cost of your purchase.
3. What size drive do you need? The amount of space you need on your external hard drive will depend on the amount of information you need to transfer. It is always worth thinking ahead – while you may not need a huge amount of space now, this may change in the future. Going for an external hard drive with more space than you currently require can save you hassle and money in the future.
4. What sort of security does the hard drive offer? Security levels on external hard drives can also vary from one make, type, and model to the next. Some external drives offer only storage capabilities, with no security features at all. Others can provide higher levels of security, including features such as automatic backups. Make sure you look at security features if this is something that you are concerned about.
5. What is the speed of the external hard drive? With external hard drives, there are two main speeds. This determines the speed at which the hard drive can read and write files. The faster option is the eSATA hard drive, but this needs to be plugged into an external power source as well as your system. The slower option is the USB 2.0 drive, which only needs to be connected to your system.
6. Is it a network-attached drive? Businesses tend to have multiple systems, so another area to look at is whether the hard drive is network-attached. Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives are a popular choice amongst businesses, as they have greater capabilities and can automatically backup multiple systems. They also enable access to the same files from different computers.

Take some time to check reviews

Making sure you have the right external hard drive is very important if you run a business. This is why you need to take the time to look at the key factors that can help you to make an informed decision. However, another thing you should look at is reviews from other business users about any external hard drives you are considering.

Taking some time to look at reviews online will make it far easier to determine the suitability of the external hard drive before you make your purchase. You will be able to learn more about the reliability, speed, effectiveness, and any special features that come with the drive. You can then use this information to help you reach your final decision with regards to the external hard drive you choose.

Summary  

As long as you look at the key areas of importance, you should have no problem finding a suitable external hard drive for your business. You can then benefit from convenience, ease, and greater capabilities when it comes to digital storage. It also means that you won’t have to worry about system performance dropping as a result of the files that you have to store on your computer.