I have written about SSDs (Solid State Drives) in the past; eight years and also five years ago. But time has passed, changes have occurred and I get questions about them from time-to-time. Today we will have a refresher on them. Also, today many computers come with them as the default hard drive and not as an upgrade.
First, a quick overly simplified definition of each. An HDD is the hard drive you most likely had on your previous computer or possibly your new one. Newer computers may have either an HDD or an SSD. An HDD is made up of metal platters stacked on top of each like pancakes, but they do not touch. Data/information is stored magnetically on both sides of the platters. The information is read by a reader on an arm which moves back and forth on both sides of each platter to read and write the magnetic info. the HDD is the less expensive of the two types with more storage size capabilities. The same size of each would have a lower price for the HDD.
SSD is basically another form of device used to store and retrieve data. Instead of metal platters, it uses solid-state memory to hold the information. Basically, it is like a large thumb drive that you may have used in the past. A big plus is that there are no moving parts, meaning less battery drain and absolutely no noise.
In my experience: much, much faster startup times for Windows, it operates more quietly and less heat is generated. Also, files open faster, close faster, save faster and the computer shuts down far more quickly. Basically, most everything on the computer works more rapidly. Also, today, unlike when I wrote the articles in the past, SSDs have a lower failure rate than an HDD. When they first came out the failure rate was higher for the SSD. That is a huge improvement and is important. You will understand if you have ever had a disk catastrophe on any type of computer.
SSDs are good travel companions. Most notebooks are carried around with you. With an HDD (remember the pancake stack) you could bang a notebook up against something, even in a cushy computer bag, or drop it and the platters could jostle around. Sometimes this could cause a very speedy failure of the drive. If it was actually reading the drive while dropped those moving parts could easily self-destruct. Having a computer with solid-state, unmovable storage that cannot be upset by smacking it around is another great feature. SSDs are far less likely to be affected by even a severe drop.
Another couple of things to think about. SSDs are much lighter than their predecessors. And smaller. Now you know in retrospect why many new computers are so thin. Also, they do not need the larger fans to keep them cool…less moving parts and less weight.
Some computer manufacturers are moving to very small SSDs and push you to cloud storage. So, you only need the drive to run a few programs and the operating system. All of your data and work can be done online. This is the main difference, other than the operating system, with Chromebooks vs. PCs.