Internal hard drives store data on magnetic surfaces by using a binary code of zeroes and ones to represent bits of information. The data stored on a hard disk is permanent and can be accessed over and over again unless a user erases the file.
Computer hard drives have two vital specifications you should understand in order to evaluate the suitability of a particular product: storage space and retrieval rate. The amount of storage space on internal hard drives is measured either in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). Retrieval rates are measured in gigabytes per second (GB/s) and are also affected by the unit’s revolutions per minute (RPM) rating.
Must-Have Features of Internal Hard Drives
The amount of space you’ll have on a typical internal hard drive depends on whether your computer is a desktop or a laptop. Laptops, being more compact, generally have more modest storage capacities compared to their desktop cousins.
Today, it is common for a new laptop to come with at least 320 GB of hard drive space; retrieval rates of 1 GB/s at 5400 RPM are good ballpark standards to use when making comparisons.
Most desktop computers now come with a 1 TB hard drive. Again, look for a retrieval rate of at least 1 GB/s, though keep in mind that desktop internal hard drives usually run at higher RPMs. As a rough figure, use 7200 RPM as a minimum speed for a 1 TB hard drive.
Also, be aware that the SATA hard drive (Serial ATA hard drive) is virtually a universal standard. SATA is a type of computer bus that serves as a storage interface by connecting disk drives and optical drives to host bus adapters.
Hard Drive Upgrade Options
It is possible to add internal hard drives to your system, but because computer cases have limited amounts of space, most users prefer external hard drives or flash memory sticks as additional storage media.
You can avoid hard drive recovery issues if your system crashes by backing up your data on optical discs, external drives or flash memory sticks. It is highly recommended that you back up important files somewhere other than your hard drive.
Top Manufacturers of Internal Hard Drives
Some of the most trusted brand names in internal hard drives include Hitachi, Seagate and Western Digital. Large computer companies like Dell, Gateway and Hewlett-Packard also offer their own branded products for consumers who prefer additional components made by the same company that manufactured their computers.