All new laptops are first equipped with a hard disk, as well as other components important for the system. However, in the process of use, the consumer has a desire or need to replace the hard carrier with a more powerful or more capacious product. Often, such changes in assembly are made after purchasing the laptop itself. In this situation, the drive is purchased additionally, realizing that the product must meet certain requirements. To pick the best laptop hard drive in 2020, this ranking has been compiled.
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Best laptop HDDs
The list includes the best HDD products. In terms of power, they will not be the best option, however, for some situations, such a solution will be optimal or the only acceptable.
Each of the presented models is made in a “notebook” compact form factor, but their overall dimensions are insignificant, but they differ. They support the technology of large sectors. Another common property will be the same shock resistance parameters.
Western Digital WD Black 500 GB
The device from the manufacturer Western Digital differs in an affordable cost, which is due to a much smaller capacity. The physical size of the device is quite compact, weighing only 92 g. During operation, up to 2 W of electricity is consumed. The specified noise during operation is no more than 25 dB, during the idle period - no more than 23 dB. In terms of noise characteristics, this device is almost the same as the others; a large number of independent responses indicate that the product is almost silent. This also applies to heating - the device will never actually overheat.
The buffer capacity in such a situation is not as impressive as in a number of analogs, but this is not required due to the smaller volumes. The interface will have a beneficial effect on power. The specified parameters in the complex will give the speed of functioning, which consumers note. The warranty period from the developer for the device in question is 5 years.
Pros:
- quieter than the noise level specified by the developer (according to the characteristics of consumers);
- high-speed operation;
- slight heating;
- the warranty period is 5 years.
Minuses:
- not installed.
Seagate ST500LM021
The device has a fairly compact dimensions, the weight of the device is 95 g. In operating mode, it will consume no more than 1.8 W of electric power, without particularly heating up (operating temperature indicators will be approximately 40 degrees). The parameter of the operating noise specified by the developer will not exceed 24 dB, the idle noise will not exceed 23 dB. The independent characteristics are virtually unanimous in their positive assessment of the quietness of functioning.
The buffer memory is 32 MB. The access time parameter during reading is 11 ms. The warranty period from the developer for this device is 2 years.
Pros:
- silent operation;
- almost optimal for Sony PlayStation (according to consumer characteristics);
- fairly high-speed information exchange.
Minuses:
- a fairly short warranty period, however, some points of sale give a longer period than the developer.
Toshiba HDWL120UZSVA
The device in question has a fairly large volume of 2 TB and, of course, the highest price. It has a compact size, weight - 117 g. Users highlight the high reliability and safety of the box in which the hard drive itself is located. Unlike many other products, there is no need to worry about the safety of the hard drive during transportation.
During operation, the device will consume up to 1.65 W, warming up to a temperature of 65 degrees with properly functioning cooling. When compared with products from other developers, this device heats up more. The specified noise during operation is no more than 24 dB, during the idle period - 23 dB. The spindle speed is 5400 rpm, but the data density, optimization and large buffer partially compensate for this shortcoming.
The hard disk is connected thanks to the high-speed SATA 6Gbit / s interface. External speed of information exchange - 600 MB per second. The device can support NCQ to increase the power of SATA devices.
Pros:
- safe packaging;
- huge buffer.
Minuses:
- slow speed of the spindle.
Best SDDs for Laptop
In addition, SDD solid-state drives are considered quite popular. In this situation, experts take into account certain factors, including directly the price, so the capacity of the device will not become a key factor. Within the framework of this rating, the most successful SDDs are considered, which combine key characteristics.
Intel SSDMCEAC180B301
The considered device, which confidently takes the leading places among drives of this type, is a 180 GB SSD from Intel. Unlike the above example, there is a built-in option for encrypting information, in some situations this will be an important advantage. The dimensions of the device are quite compact, the minimum weight is only 10 g. During operation, it will consume no more than 0.30 W of electric power.
In addition, this hard drive is recommended for equipping laptops for gamers, modern consoles or, in part, gaming desktop PCs. It will similarly support 4K large sector technology and use MLC flash memory.
The stated shock resistance parameters are 1000 G for storage and operation. Connect a hard drive using a Gen 3 SATA connection using a compact mSATA port. The warranty period provided by the developer is 3 years.
Pros:
- high-speed operation;
- suitable for a set of gaming personal computers and laptops;
- integrated information encryption option;
- smallest parameters and mass.
Minuses:
- not installed.
Crucial CT256M4SSD2
Crucial Ballistix spun off from the Micron mainstream brand relatively recently. The products are manufactured by the sister company of the same name, Crucial, in relation to Micron Technology. Most of the lines have received a large number of positive characteristics from specialists all over the world. The drive in question has a small size that will correspond to a 2.5 ″ form factor. The weight of the device itself will be 75 g. The amount of electricity consumption will be 0.16 watts.
By a combination of factors, the device under consideration is recommended for use in gaming personal computers and laptops. Its capacity is 256 GB, it uses MLC flash memory, 4-KB sectors are supported. The highest read and write speeds will be 260 and 500 MB / sec.
The device is connected via the SATA 6Gbit / s interface. The exchange of information is controlled by the Marvell controller, which is highly regarded among professionals. Another advantage will be the power of the product in question - NCQ technology is supported.
Mechanical shock resistance parameters will correspond to 1500 G for operation and storage. The developer's warranty period for the device in question is 3 years.
Pros:
- controller Marvell;
- high-speed operation even in comparison with SSD;
- large sectors are supported.
Minuses:
- Sufficiently susceptible to abrupt / incorrect power outages.
Best Hybrid Drives
In these devices, the form factor makes it possible to successfully complete laptops. The devices under consideration can be combined into a single system of properties of HDD and SSD. The rating includes the most successful developments that have positive characteristics from specialists and users.
Seagate ST95005620AS
This device from a US manufacturer has proven itself to be the best. The capacity is 500 GB of mechanical part and 4 GB of flash-memory.
A device is being manufactured in a 2.5 ″ form factor with compact parameters, the weight will be 110 g. Electricity consumption will be 1.10 watts. The indicated noise is almost standard, 23 and 25 dB. Shock resistance parameters are equal to 350 G in operation and 1000 G during storage. In terms of operating speed, it is quite high, the spindle rotation is 7200 rpm. The buffer is 32 MB, but this device supports NCQ technology.
The connection of this device, as in other models, is carried out via the SATA 3Gbit / s interface. The external bandwidth is 300 MB per second. Independent research has shown maximum heating during operation to 55 degrees during proper cooling. The warranty period provided by the developer is 2 years.
Pros:
- high-speed operation;
- slight heating;
- least noise.
Minuses:
- some users will be annoyed by the pronounced sound of head parking.
Western Digital WD Blue SSHD 1 TB
The product is from the world famous manufacturer from the USA Western Digital. This device has a mechanical capacity of 1 TB, additionally with 8 GB of solid state memory. The dimensions of the product are quite compact, the weight is 120 g. In operating mode, 1.65 W of electricity will be consumed. The reported noise parameters are 24 and 25 dB during idle and in operation. Shock resistance in operating mode - up to 400 G, during storage - 1000 G.
The speed characteristics make it possible to effectively use the device in question as part of a gaming PC or set-top box. Supports large 4K sectors and uses the "advanced" MLC flash memory.
The hard disk is connected via a high-speed SATA 6Gbit / s interface. The spindle rotates at a frequency of 5400 rpm. In the opposite situation, this would be a drawback, however, the product is quite optimized in terms of information transfer and is supplied with an extremely capacious buffer to compensate for this factor. The warranty period provided by the developer is 36 months.
Pros:
- gaming, suitable for laptops of common modern products;
- capacity;
- high-speed;
- reliable assembly.
Minuses:
- not installed.
Toshiba MQ01ABD100H
The device in question from the manufacturer Toshiba is confidently included in the list of the best products. This drive has a mechanical capacity of 1 TB (2 platters) and an additional 8 GB of solid-state memory. Suitable for gaming systems, as in previous models. The stated operating noise is 23 and 24 dB during idle and operating. Shock resistance - 400 G during operation and 900 G during storage.
The spindle rotation is rather low - 5400 rpm, however, other parameters effectively compensate for this factor. Thus, for example, the device under consideration supports large 4 KB sectors. The connection of such a device is carried out through a high-speed interface. The warranty period provided by the developer is 2 years.
Pros:
- high-speed functioning;
- there is almost no noise during operation and there are completely no vibrations;
- minimal heating;
- suitable for a set of gaming systems, including consoles from Sony.
Minuses:
- minor subjective claims in the characteristics of consumers.
The question often arises as to which hard drive is the best for a laptop. To buy a suitable device, you need to familiarize yourself with this rating. The list includes the best gadgets. They are distinguished by efficiency and quality.
