| When comparing netbooks, you have probably | | | | they are more reliable. HDDs can suffer problems |
| noticed that there are two types of storage devices | | | | with their moving parts, but even so, the chance of |
| available to choose from; | | | | failure is still very low. |
| - Solid State Drive (SSD) | | | | Durability |
| - Hard Disc Drive (HDD) | | | | - SSDs are without a doubt more durable than HDDs. |
| They both have the same function, which is to store | | | | As they have no moving parts, they are able to |
| and hold data, but the way in which each one works | | | | function normally under the most testing conditions. |
| is different. Additionally, each one has its own | | | | Even if a machine was vibrated intensely, the SSD |
| advantages, which will be discussed here. | | | | would still function without any problems. The same |
| Let's deal with where the main differences lie; | | | | couldn't be said for HDDs because any shaking would |
| Method of operation | | | | affect the reading of the disc by the spindle, causing |
| - SSDs have no moving parts. They are made from a | | | | errors. |
| number of flash memory chips put together to | | | | Cost |
| create the storage capacity of the drive. | | | | - HDDs are the winner by a home run in terms of |
| - HDDs have lots of moving parts. A spindle reads | | | | cost. As SSDs are still a fairly new technology, the |
| writes data to the disc as it spins around thousands | | | | cost is still relatively high. For example, an 80GB SSD |
| of times per minute. You may have seen 5400rpm in | | | | drive would cost around $530, whereas an 80GB |
| a HDD specification. That means that the disc spins | | | | HDD would cost around $45 - around 10 times less! |
| around at 5400 revolutions per minute - much like a | | | | Capacity |
| record player, but much faster!!! | | | | - Due to the nature of SSDs at the present time, the |
| Speed | | | | maximum capacities available are nowhere near as big |
| - In the speed stakes, SSDs tends to win hands | | | | as their HDD counterparts. This should change in the |
| down - particularly when performing tasks such as | | | | future, as the technology becomes tweaked and |
| booting up a computer or opening applications. HDDs | | | | improved upon. |
| are slower, as they have all those moving parts to | | | | Battery Life |
| put into action, therefore taking longer to access | | | | - As SSDs have no moving parts, they offer longer |
| data. | | | | battery life because they use less power. HDDs have |
| Reliability | | | | various moving parts, use more power, and |
| - Which of the two drives is more reliable is open to | | | | therefore battery life is less. |
| debate, but given the fact the SSDs don't have any | | | | So, there's an explanation of the main differences |
| moving parts which could fail, it could be argued that | | | | between SSDs and HDDs. |