Protect yourself and your business with an external drive

The Power of External Hard Drives: Safeguarding Your Data in Style

Welcome, tech-savvy readers, to another exciting blog post! Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of external storage and why they are an essential part of your computer setup, especially if you’re a business. We’ll explore the reasons why relying solely on cloud services might not be the best option for data backup. Additionally, we’ll present you with the top 5 best external storage options of 2023, complete with their dazzling specs. So, grab your virtual popcorn, and let’s get started!

The Need for External Hard Drives:

Imagine this: you’re diligently working on an important project when, all of a sudden, your computer crashes! Panic sets in as you realize that all your precious data may be lost forever. This is where external hard drives swoop in to save the day.

Check out why we think they are crucial:

1. Data Security: External hard drives act as a fortress for your data, providing an extra layer of protection against cyber threats, accidental deletions, or system failures. With a physical device in your possession, you have full control over your data’s security, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
2. Accessibility: Need to access your data offline? External hard drives allow you to carry your entire digital world with you. Whether you’re attending an important client meeting or going on a remote adventure, your data stays within reach, with no Wi-Fi required.
3. Speed and Performance: Cloud services heavily rely on internet speed for data transfers, which can sometimes be sluggish, especially for large files. External hard drives, on the other hand, offer blazing-fast transfer rates, ensuring quick backups and rapid access to your data.
4. Cost-Effectiveness: Cloud storage providers often charge recurring fees for larger storage capacities, making it costly for businesses with substantial data needs. With an external hard drive, you can make a one-time investment and enjoy unlimited storage (well, limited by the drive’s capacity, but you get the point).
5. Data Sovereignty: For some businesses, data privacy and compliance are of utmost importance. Storing sensitive information on cloud servers might raise concerns about jurisdiction and data ownership. By utilizing an external hard drive, you retain full control over your data, ensuring compliance with regulations and peace of mind.

 

The Limitations of Cloud Services:

While cloud services have their merits, they might not be the perfect fit for every situation. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Internet Dependency: Cloud services rely heavily on an internet connection. If you’re in an area with poor connectivity or experiencing internet outages, accessing or backing up your data becomes a frustrating task.
2. Security Risks: While cloud service providers implement robust security measures, no system is entirely invulnerable. Incidents of data breaches and hacking attempts have raised concerns over the safety of sensitive information stored in the cloud.
3. Subscription Costs: The convenience of cloud storage comes at a price. Monthly or annual subscription fees can accumulate, especially as your storage needs grow, making it a costly option in the long run.

Top 5 best external storage options for 2023:

Samsung T7 Shield

The best performance

The Samsung T7 Shield is a powerhouse of protection that has won the hearts of tech enthusiasts far and wide. Users are left in awe of its robust security features, ensuring their precious data remains safe and sound. This SSD is like a virtual fortress, shielding your files from prying eyes and potential threats. And let’s not forget its lightning-fast transfer speeds, whisking away files at an astonishing pace.

While the Samsung T7 Touch impressed users with its fingerprint reader for data security, the Shield models take a different approach by focusing on physical protection. These models come with IP65 ratings, offering resistance against particulate matter and water spray. This makes them ideal performance drives for outdoor use, perfect for those who need reliable storage while working in the field. It’s important to note that despite the emphasis on physical protection, the Shield can still be safeguarded with password protection, ensuring your data remains secure on multiple fronts.

The sleek and compact design adds a touch of sophistication to any workspace, making it a stylish sidekick for your storage needs. With the Samsung T7 Shield, you can store your files with confidence, knowing that your data is protected by an impregnable shield. Say goodbye to worries and hello to a storage solution that offers both security and speed in one dazzling package!

SanDisk Extreme Pro

The best-performance runner-up SSD

 

While the Samsung T7’s improved write speeds have elevated it to the top spot, we can’t overlook the impressive performance of SanDisk’s Extreme Pro Portable SSD (1TB). It remains one of the fastest USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) external SSDs we’ve tested thus far. It’s priced slightly higher than the T7 Shield but offers a rated IP55 protection, and provides a decent defense against the elements. Rest assured, both the SanDisk Extreme Pro and the T7 Shield are outstanding performers in their own right.

 

 

WD Black P50 Game Drive

The best gaming drive

 

Elevate your gaming experience with the WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD. Gamers can’t get enough of its lightning-fast speeds that eliminate lag and ensure seamless gameplay. With capacities of up to 2TB, it’s a storage titan that accommodates your entire gaming library. Built rugged and durable, it’s a warrior that withstands the toughest gaming battles. Plug-and-play simplicity allows for instant gaming gratification, while the sleek design adds a touch of style to any gaming setup. Say goodbye to storage worries and hello to gaming greatness with the WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD. Level up, dominate, and unleash your gaming prowess with this powerful gaming companion.

If you’re tired of games gobbling up massive amounts of storage, we have just the solution for you. Enter WD’s Black P50 Game Drive, the perfect companion for your gaming laptop. And no, it’s not just because it conveniently has “Game Drive” in its name, but because launching games from an SSD can genuinely give you a competitive edge in certain titles. With an external SSD, you’ll experience lightning-fast level loads that leave sluggish hard drives in the dust.

While older PCs might not have the necessary USB SuperSpeed 20Gbps ports, newer desktops & gaming consoles often come equipped with this feature. The great news is, even with USB 10Gbps speeds, the Black P50 delivers impressive read and write speeds of up to 2,000MBps, a significant improvement over traditional hard drives. Say goodbye to long loading times and hello to faster, more enjoyable gaming sessions with the WD Black P50 Game Drive!

 

Crucial X6 Portable SSD

The best budget-friendly drive

 

Unlock the power of convenience and speed with the Crucial X6 Portable SSD. This compact storage marvel offers fast transfers, plug-and-play simplicity, and versatile compatibility, all in a pocket-sized package. The soft round edges and square shape make this drive super easy to transport when you’re on the go… Just slip it into your pocket and you’re ready to roll!

Whether you’re backing up important files or enjoying seamless file transfers, the X6 delivers great performance. With its reliable and trustworthy reputation, you can trust your data to this compact powerhouse. Say goodbye to storage limitations and hello to a world of convenience and speed with the Crucial X6 Portable SSD. It’s time to elevate your storage game and embark on a storage journey like no other.

Kingston XS200 USB SSD

The most portable high-capacity drive

Prepare to be impressed by the Kingston XS2000—a perfect fusion of size, capacity, and speed, all at an affordable price. Offering up to a whopping 4TB in capacity, this pocket-sized SSD can compete with some of the largest drives on the market. Not only that, but the XS2000 boasts data transfer rates of up to 20Gbps, surpassing the 10Gbps speeds of its competitors. With its compact design, surprisingly reasonable price point, and decent speed, this SSD is a solid choice, especially for those who need to carry a substantial amount of data on the go. Get ready to experience the perfect blend of convenience, capacity, and affordability with the Kingston XS2000 SSD.