The traditional way to store data on a PC is in the Hard Disk Drive, HDD. These days, the HDD is gradually being replaced with the Solid State Drive, SSD. SSDs read and write data faster than the traditional HDD thereby making computing tasks faster. Presently SSDs are more expensive than HDDs. For instance a 500GB SSD can cost 4 times that of HDD of the same size.
The main differences between an HDD and SSD is as follows;
1.HDD stores data on a magnetic disk using moving parts that are spinning very fast. SSD have no moving parts and store data on integrated circuit assemblies.
2. SSDs are much smaller in size and HDDs, thereby making it possible for slimer laptops to be built.
Further Differences between Hard Disk Drive( HDD) and Solid State Drives ( SSD)
| Hard Disk Drive | Solid State Drive | |
| Start up time | Can take several seconds | Almost instantaneous |
| Random Access Time | Ranges from 2.9 to 12 ms | 0.1 ms |
| Data transfer rate | About 200MB/ s | 200 – 1500MB/s |
| Read Latency | Much higher than SSD | Lower |
| Read performance | Slower | Slower |
| Noise level | Noise is caused by moving parts | No noise |
| Installation | Should be installed in such a way that it is Protected from vibration and shock | Not sensitive to orientation, vibration and shock |
| Reliability and Longevity | HDD have moving parts and are susceptible to mechanical failures | Can last for many years under normal use. |
Hybrid Solid State Hard Drive, SSHD
This is a combination of a traditional HDD and SSD. The SSHD has 2 storage spaces. The smaller storage space; usually the SSD and the larger storage space; usually the HDD.