I bought a 2.5 inch external HDD from Western Digital for my laptop yesterday (1TB). For my programs I have an SSD, the HDD is only for my data (that's what many of you will do). What is best now? Should I leave it connected permanently or only do it when I need it? The hard drive goes into standby if I haven't used it for 10 minutes, but it turns on unnecessarily when it starts up.
If I only plug it in when needed, it has to go on and off all the time, just like a USB stick, which should also have an impact on the service life.
So what's best for hard drive life expectancy?
Just leave it on. HDD is HDD and is used until it breaks. With good ones, this can be around 20 years (continuous operation)
Thanks for the contribution.
20 years are very blatant, I expect a maximum of 6-7 years, if at all. Since it is external, I think it will be even less. An internal one breaks when it breaks, an external one can fall down again etc.
Of course, I will back up the most important data again specifically.
I have one that has been in continuous operation for 7.5 years. D.H 31400 hours and it runs and runs (WD)
(that's what many of you do)
Certainly not me and I just hope that few will handle it that way.
What is best now? Should I leave it connected permanently or only do it when I need it?
In principle, this does not matter if you want to handle it as you describe it.
But keep in mind that USB ports, plugs and cables are wearing parts. The more often you plug in and unplug the faster.
On the other hand, if you leave the HDD plugged in all the time, the likelihood of a head crash due to unwanted movement increases.
People who want to work productively would have bought an internal SSD that provides as much storage space on the laptop as one actually needs.
An external HDD is then used for backups.
Thanks for the answer.
My needs are relatively modest, I don't gamble and I don't have any really difficult programs.
The 250 GB SSD is enough for me, since only Windows and the programs are on it. A bigger one would be a waste of money for me.
I use the HDD for the data, because data doesn't need performance. The data is just there. The program that accesses the data needs performance and therefore the programs are on the SSD.
I hope I was able to explain the way of thinking in more detail.
All right. We then hear each other with the question "Help, my HDD no longer works - how do I get my data!"
I save my data, I'm aware that HDD has a shorter lifespan. But it'll be enough for a few years
