It will not be considered an exaggeration to say that, today, data rules the world. Information technology has revolutionised how we think, how we live and how we function. From everyday innocuous data to data that is worth millions of dollars, every computer user creates, works with and uses data. Considering that data is such a central theme, it is not surprising then that how we store our data plays an important role. Currently, portable hard disk is creating waves as a multifaceted storage device.
Overview of Portable Hard Disks
Portable hard drives are gaining popularity world over as the perfect foil to a functional but not practical, regular hard drive. The globalisation of world economies has made it necessary, for the average person to be on the move and to be prepared. Sharing of data is part of how businesses function and these businesses are spread across the globe. In this scenario, it is necessary to have a device that offers all the advantages of a hard drive with the added advantage of being portable.
The portable hard drives that are currently available in the market are both affordable and versatile. This makes it attractive for business and personal use. The portable hard drive works as a perfect backup solution as it has expanded storage capacity to store large files. They are also extremely versatile, as they are adaptable with most computers.
The USP of the portable hard drive, as the name suggests, is the fact that they are portable. The physical size makes it easy to carry around and access at multiple locations. Further, this hard drive works between both Windows and Macintosh systems, which is a true sign of what a universal device it is.
Portable Hard Drives are Reliable
The technology that is used in portable hard drive technology is of a very high calibre. In fact, it is similar to the technology that is used for storage in laptops and portable media players. Since they are designed to use existing technology like the USB 2.0, it is certain that they will be relevant in the foreseeable future. This is an important factor especially in the constantly changing world of Internet Technology. To have something that will last for more than a few seasons, is a definite bonus.
Portable hard drives are definitely not indestructible but they are definitely hardy. They are a great device to carry all backups and documents and are as reliable as laptops.
Buying and Using Portable Hard Drives
As mentioned earlier, portable hard drives are both extremely affordable and easily available. These hard drives work in the same manner as Flash/USB/Thumb drives. Typically, portable hard drives come in two configurations and most often contain a 3.5” hard drive. There are the less common devices which contain 2.5” laptop hard drives.
Portable hard drives available in the market have great capacities which are a delight to users. Currently, they are available in capacities up to 500 GB. The smaller devices have capacities ranging between 20 GB and 120 GB. While the larger drives may seem ostensibly more advantageous because of their capacity, they require a dedicated AC adapter in order to be turned on. The smaller drives, on the other hand, do not require an adapter but offer less capacity. A definite necessity for any portable hard drive to be used is USB 2.0 capability.
Top 5 Portable Hard Drives
A survey has revealed the top five portable hard drive brands based on different criteria. They are: Sony Giga Vault (40GB), Ximeta NetDisk Mini (40 GB), WiebeTech Combo GB (40 GB), Seagate 40GB Portable External Hard Drive, IO Gear 2.5 inch USB 2.0 FireWire Ion Drive. These are the top five, but as can be imagined, there are many products available that offer great satisfaction to a user.
Conclusion
Data loss can happen while on the road. Important files can go missing just when you need them. However, there is no reason to panic as there are fantastic recovery tools available online that can be downloaded. Just as with any storage device, it is important to maintain a portable hard drive well. One should not expose it to extreme temperatures, wet conditions or dust particles. It is important to carry the portable hard drive in a secure case to prevent damage.
If these basic precautions are kept in mind, there is no doubt that the portable hard drive will serve a user well. It has all the features that users require of a storage device. It is hardy; it is fast, has great capacity and can be carried around. Being affordable and easily available apart from being adaptable makes the portable hard drive truly a must-have device.
If you are concerned that data loss may be due to malicious damage contact a Computer Forensics (or Digital Forensics) scientist to look into your case.