Data Backup Digest

The benefits of a solid state drive (SSD) compared to a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) have convinced many companies to invest in the technology. However, even some of the most technologically minded users are unfamiliar with what the differences between the two are, and how choosing one over the other can affect day-to-day usage.

The biggest distinction between an SSD and a HDD is the fact that the former doesn't contain any moving parts. Typical HDDs will feature spinning disks and read/write heads that move as needed, which can cause issues when compared to the way an SSD functions.

For one, any device that features moving parts runs a greater risk of failure — there's simply more that can go wrong. That motion is also going to make noise, which is drastically reduced via the use of an SSD. The most prominent advantage, however, is the fact that an SSD can offer significantly faster access speeds and lower latency.

Your computer needs to access its OS constantly, and on a traditional HDD that means it needs to physically move a read head to the physical location of the required files. You'll observe an immediate difference by using an SSD to store your OS, as your machine as a whole will be noticeable faster and more responsive. As custom-built computers become more and more common, experts recommend that an SSD should be a priority whether the system's purpose is for work or recreation.

However, the stumbling block for many businesses and individuals looking to invest in an SSD is the cost of entry. While prices have fallen in recent years, you can still expect to pay significantly more for an SSD than a HDD of comparable size. The question is, do the advantages outweigh that financial drawback?

That problem can only be answered on a user-by-user basis. If the biggest problem your computer faces is a lack of speed and responsiveness, buying an SSD to install your OS on is likely the most cost-effective solution. However, those prices can soon add up if you're looking to roll out SSDs across a fleet of computers in a business setting.

One way to cut back on the costs is to only buy as much storage as you need. It's easy to think that more is better, but if the purpose behind the drive is speeding up your computer, that might not be the case. If you have enough space for the OS, and perhaps a few commonly used applications, you can rely on HDD storage for the rest of your needs. Accessing files from that drive won't be as fast, but you'll still retain the speed and latency advantages of having your OS installed on the SDD.

Cost vs. functionality is the face-off that you need to consider if you're looking to store your OS on an SSD. The benefits of doing so are immediately noticeable and broadly useful — but it comes at a price that might be too difficult to stomach on a tight budget.