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Even if you are shopping for a laptop, it doesn’t mean you’re up to date with all of the technology terms that are thrown at you, and there are a lot. However, when it comes to getting a laptop, which hard drive it uses can make a big difference. Upgrading and switching out components in a laptop nearly always needs to be done by a professional, which can cost a lot of money and take a lot of time.

If you want to have a laptop that you don’t need to worry about, one that will just work whenever and wherever you need it, it’s important that it’s designed with everything you need at the very beginning. And one of the most important parts to consider is which type of hard drive you want: SSD or HDD. In this blog, we’ll go over the basics, the pros and cons of both, and different considerations for each.

At OC Rugged, we understand that it can be overwhelming shopping for a rugged laptop. But our team has years of experience helping customers decide what they need and which product is best for them. Whether you’re in construction, the military, if you’re a first responder, or you just want to have a tough laptop when you’re backpacking in the mountains, we’ve got what you need.

SSD vs. HDD

First, What Are These Terms?

Solid State Drives (SSD) and Hard Disk Drives (HDD) are both forms of storage for your laptop. Here is a quick breakdown of what they are and how they work:

• HDD: This type of storage has been around for decades and offers non-volatile storage, which means that it doesn’t need a power supply to hold data. The hard disk drive works by using spinning disks, or platters, that the code, or data, is written on. There is a moving arm that writes the code onto the platter, starting with the outermost circle of the platter, called tracks, and each track is divided into units, called sectors. Confused yet? The important thing that you need to know is HDD systems use moving parts and that the faster the platters spin (speeds range from 4200 rpm to 7200 rpm), the faster the drive is able to read/write data.
• SSD: A newer technology, SSD systems also uses non-volatile storage, but has no moving parts. It uses NAND (Negative-AND) flash memory. Memory is stored using microchips. The more NAND chips a SSD system has, the more storage capacity it has. These systems can almost instantly access data whenever you need it.

Benefits of SSD Systems

• Uses less power, so the battery lasts longer.
• Takes about 10-13 seconds to boot up.
• There are no moving parts, so there isn’t any noise.
• Because there aren’t any moving parts, there’s no vibration.
• There is little heat produced because there aren’t moving parts.
• Has a lower failure rate.
• Read/write speeds typically above 200 MB per second or up to 550 MB per second.
• Some models support FDE (Full Disk Encryption).
• Can open files up to 0% faster.
• Safe from any effects of magnetism.

Drawbacks of SSDs:

• They are more expensive than HDDs.
• Data extraction can be difficult due to the unique file system structure.
• Data recovery can be expensive.
• There is a limited number of write cycles.
• If memory chips are damaged, it may be impossible to access the data.

Benefits of HDD Systems

• Storage is cheaper, around three cents per gigabyte.
• Can hold around 500GB, 2TB for notebooks, and 10TB for desktops.
• Some models support FDE.

Drawbacks of HDD Systems

• Battery doesn’t last as long.
• Takes 30-40 seconds to boot up.
• Clicks and spinning can be heard when in use.
• The spinning platters can cause vibrations.
• Slightly more heat is produced due to the moving parts.
• Read/write speed is 50-120 MB per second.
• Takes longer to open files.
• Magnets can erase data.

Which Storage System is Right For You?

Even though overall the SSD system appears to be better, it all depends on what you need from your computer. Generally, if you don’t want to spend extra money, if you need a lot of storage space, and if you don’t care how long it takes to open your files, then a HDD system will be sufficient. However, if you need a rugged laptop that can withstand a variety of elements, you may want to spend a little more in order to take advantage of the benefits of the SSD system.

The rugged laptops at OC Rugged either come with or have the option to upgrade to a SSD system. With this feature, the laptop is vibration resistant, pressure resistant, humidity resistant, and drop and shock resistant. If you work in construction, if you’re a member of the military, a first responder, or work at high elevations, a SSD system is the way to go in order to protect your laptop.

The team at OC Rugged strive for complete customer satisfaction, so we have included a variety of features so that you can get exactly what you need. For Panasonic Toughbooks, new and refurbished, Getac laptops, mounts, and more, shop at OC Rugged.