Internal vs External Drives

[michelle62998]

Hi I'm new here, so I hope that this is the right spot for this. I'm a new college student and currently I'm taking a class titled "Introduction to Personal Computers". We're constantly learning all these new things and having reports on various hardware and ect. My problem is, I'm still learning and I'm not too technical savy in some ares. I've been searching online for some comparisons between external and internal drives, but haven't really been able to find anything. I was wondering if ya'll could help. I'm supposed to give my professor 5 advantages for both internal and external drives. It doesn't matter what kind of drive (floppy, CD ROM, ect).

This is what I have so far....

Five advantages of external drives are:
1. They?re portable so you can share files with other computers.
2. Has it?s own power supply
3. Has it?s own fan.
4. Mounted on outside of the computer.
5. They are plug n play, don?t need configuration.

Five advantages of internal drives are:
1. Are faster in terms of transfer speed.
2. Mounted on the inside of the computer.
3. They?re usually cheaper.
4. They?re quieter and run at a cooler temperature.
5.

Are these good and can anyone suggest anything better or anything that I missed? Thanks so much for any help that anyone may be able to provide!!!

Michelle,

 

[Jeffyboy]

Hi Michelle ;-)

Welcome aboard

Internal drives are supported by all operating systems. External drives may need a certain OS or certain ports you may not have... especially on older computers. Another advantage is no messy cables running along your floor because it's internal and no power supply to buy because it is part of the PC. Usually, internal drives are bootable. Some system smight not boot from an external drive.

Jeffy

 

[TheGreenGoblin]

5 advantages for each is asking a lot. I'm curious what your teacher will list as advantages. I troubleshoot pc's for a living and I'm having a hard time coming up with 5

I wouldn't call "Mounted outside of case" an advantage , might wanna say "ease of installation - no need to open tower to install" instead.

As far as "quieter and cooler" for the internal , not really sure that's the case. A good enclosure with a fan or 2 might actually keep the drive cooler than putting it into a case with no airflow.

 

[flamingspinach]

AFAIK external HDDs still need to be formatted, no? "mounted outside" is a bit of a weak reason... if you really need five you could also use something like "external are more physically durable"... I guess... Internal is more compact and easy to store (fits right into drive bay)... can't think of much else...

-fs

 

[michelle62998]

Thanks for the welcome. I?m sure I?ll be visiting this site often in the future, as I?ve already learned a great deal from the site and everyone here is so informative.

And thank you for the suggestions. They?re very helpful. I?m not exactly sure what my professor is looking for. He has a tendency to just throw stuff out there and see what we come up with, but if it?s not something that?s been thought out and thoroughly researched he takes off points, which is why I?m trying to find as much info as I can.

Thanks again to everyone that?s made suggestions, I really do appreciate it!

 

[Jeffyboy]

Another advantage of an internal drive... is your teacher is less likely to steal it ;-)
Personally... I think that's a good one. hehe

Jeff

 

[Jeffyboy]

Ok,ok,ok...

External Drives
1) Portable
2) Stackable (use many of them)
3) Can use fast interfaces
4) Built-in fan/PS typically. Cool operation
5) Sexy appearance... case styles to match yer office


Internal Drives
1) Most interface options
2) Typically faster (transer speed)
3) Less likely to be stolen
4) more likely to be Bootable
5) more likely to be Cheaper
6) No messy external cables


hmmm... what else is there?

Jeff

 

[michelle62998]

Originally posted by: Jeffyboy
Another advantage of an internal drive... is your teacher is less likely to steal it ;-)
Personally... I think that's a good one. hehe

I could just see Mr. Avery's face if I put that on the list. lol He'd no doubt give me hell over it, he seems to like antagonizing me. And of course he probably wouldn't be surprised if I said something like that, seeing as I'm always saying something. lol

Thanks again for all of your suggestions. I really do appreciate them and they've all proven to be very helpful. I'm glad I found this place, because it gets really frustrating searching around online trying to find something and not being able to. And quite time consuming. Thanks again!!!


..::Michelle::..