Hard drives are a significant component of all computers around us. A hard drive is a piece of hardware that stores your digital content, including your documents, pictures, music, videos, programs, application preferences, and operating system. External and internal hard drives are both possible. Buying a hard drive can cost you a sum, and you might ask why that is the case.
The main reason hard drives are so expensive is the clean room environment and precision required to manufacture them. There is also a shortage in the supply of raw materials such as tin. Since the rise in demand for electronic goods during the pandemic, the price of tin has reached an all-time high, and as this metal is used for soldering in circuit boards, that means an increased cost of manufacturing hard drives.
Find more information about hard drives and their prices below.
Components Of Hard Drives
A hard drive has three main components: the read/write head, the platters, and the actuator. The read/write head reads and writes data to the platters while the actuator moves the read/write head across the platter surface.
To ensure accurate data storage and retrieval, all of these components must be precisely manufactured. Particulates in the air can damage the delicate internal components of hard drives, which are manufactured in a clean room environment.
How Are The Components Made?
To begin, a blank disc drive is mounted on a spindle and spun up to speed. The read/write head is then lowered onto the drive and data is recorded onto it.
When all of the data has been written, the platters are separated, and the heads are relocated to a safe location.
The actuator is then moved across the platters’ surfaces, writing data to each one. Finally, the read/write head is lowered onto the platter and begins reading data from it. The data is then stored on the hard drive for later use.
They can use magnetic discs to store operating systems, software programs, and other materials. Hard disc drives, in particular, regulate the reading and writing of the hard disc that stores data. HDDs are utilized in computers as either primary or secondary storage devices.
Types Of Hard Drives
Hard drives are currently classified into four types:
Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA)
Compaq and Western Digital were the first to introduce PATA hard drives to the market in 1986. They can hold up to 80GB of data and transfer it at speeds of up to 133 MB/S.
They were given the term Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment because they link to the computer via a parallel ATA interface. They are also known as Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) and Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) in addition to PATA (EIDE).
PATA hard drives are mechanically moving parts that use parallel signaling technology to convey several bits of data at the same time
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
SATA hard drives have recently been installed in many desktop and laptop computers because they outperform PATA hard drives in size, power consumption, and even pricing.
The connection to a computer stays the same as with PATA, but instead of parallel signaling technology, they employ serial signaling technology for data transmission. This means they send data one bit at a time.
SATA hard drives have a significant advantage over PATA hard drives in that they can transmit data at a rate of 150 – 300 MB/S. They also have thinner cables and a cable restriction of 1 meter.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
SCSI hard drives are superior to SATA and PATA drives for a variety of reasons, including round-the-clock operation, speed, storage, and others. SCSI hard drives connect using a small computer system interface (SCSI), which is a standard for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and others.
The best part is that they support the attachment of peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and hard drives. Furthermore, they transport data at 320 MB/S and can be connected internally or externally. SCSI connections on personal computers have been supplanted by the Universal Serial BUS (USB). As a result, SCSI is no longer used as consumer hardware.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
SSD hard drives are one of the latest hard drive technologies at the time of writing this article. Unlike the hard drive technologies before SSD drives, they don’t consist of moving parts and don’t use magnetism to store data.
Instead, they use integrated circuits (ICs) just like third-generation computers. This makes them more durable, faster, and less prone to damage and corruption.
SSD hard drives have the notable advantage of transferring data at a speed of 550 MB/S and allow faster boot times than the types of hard drives before them.
How Does A Hard Drive Work?
A spinning platter with a thin magnetic coating is used in the hard disc. A “head” slides around the platter, printing 0’s and 1’s as tiny magnetic North and South areas on the platter. To retrieve the data back, the head returns to the exact location, sees the flying North and South spots, and so deduces the stored 0’s and 1’s.
Internal And External Hard Drives
The main difference between an internal and external hard disc is placement. Unlike internal hard drives, external drives are not incorporated into your desktop or laptop computer. To function, all computers require an internal drive. Files, data, and media are all kept on the drive.
While removing a computer’s internal drive physically is possible, it is rarely necessary unless you want to replace it with a more powerful drive. External drives are portable and may be linked to many computers using the appropriate connectors, allowing you to carry your files, data, or media with you at all times.
Conclusion
Hard drives are expensive as they involve an assembly that is also more complicated; for example, the controller and software of the drive must be carefully integrated, and the extensive process and expensive raw materials contribute to the high price tag.
