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We're making changes to how you buy HDD and flash products from the Western Digital family of brands.
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We're making changes to how you buy HDD and flash products from the Western Digital family of brands.
To continue, please select from the following options:
We're making changes to how you buy HDD and flash products from the Western Digital family of brands.
To continue, please select from the following options:
We're making changes to how you buy HDD and flash products from the Western Digital family of brands.
To continue, please select from the following options:
We're making changes to how you buy HDD and flash products from the Western Digital family of brands.
To continue, please select from the following options:
We’re updating our support process for HDD and flash products from the Western Digital family of brands.
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HDDs use rotating magnetic disks, known as platters, to store data. These platters spin at high speeds while a movable read/write head hovers just above them. As data is read or written, the head adjusts its position to access the correct part of the disk, interpreting or altering the magnetic patterns on the platter to represent data.
HDDs (hard drives):
Offer greater capacity at a lower cost than SSDs.
Typically have longer lifespans than SSDs.
Can be more reliable than SSDs.
SSDs (solid state drives) are a great choice when durability, energy efficiency, and transfer speeds are priorities.
SATA hard drives:
Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than SAS drives.
Compatibility: Widely adopted in consumer-grade hardware and software.
Ideal for Most Users: Ample speeds for many personal computing tasks.
SAS hard drives:
High Performance: Faster transfer speeds, especially in multi-drive setups like RAID.
Reliability: Built for 24/7 operation in enterprise environments.
Dual Porting: Supports multiple data pathways, offering redundancy if one path fails.
The write process on an HDD involves the electromagnetic read/write head, which changes the magnetic orientation on specific parts of the platter’s surface. An actuator guides the read/write head’s arm to make sure that the drive writes data to the correct track of the spinning platter.
To read data, the hard drive’s read/write head acts as a sensor to detect magnetic fields. This head picks up the magnetic orientation from specific sections of the platter’s surface, translating it into digital information.
To free up storage capacity, HDDs mark certain data for deletion. That information isn’t wiped immediately. Instead, markings indicate that the data is no longer needed. The original magnetic patterns that make up that marked data remain until space is needed for new information — that’s when it gets overwritten.
The lifespan of an HDD depends on factors that range from usage patterns to environmental conditions. Over time, the mechanical parts, like the spinning platters and the actuator, can wear out. Regular backups and monitoring are essential for preserving data in the long run.
Types of HDDs
Internal Hard Drives
Internal hard drives are installed directly into your computer, making them a fast, reliable way to affordably store large data sets. Try internal hard drives to:
