Computer Repair in Kalamazoo

If you’re thinking about upgrading your computer, you’ve probably heard that an SSD can greatly improve the speed of your system. If you’re not sure or you don’t really know anything about SSDs, you’ve come to the perfect place. Geek Easy Computers has the answers to your questions about SSDs.

What is an SSD?

SSD stands for Solid-State Drive or Solid-State Disk. An SSD uses flash memory to store data similar to RAM except it is non-volatile meaning it will save the information without the presence of electricity. SSDs have no moving parts unlike traditional hard drives (HDDs). They are becoming more popular both in newer computers and as upgrades to older computers. While larger SSDs are still quite expensive, smaller sizes have become economically accessible by the general computer populace.

Why should I choose an SSD over a HDD?

Speed – Speed is probably the number one reason to upgrade to an SSD. SSDs have read and write speeds of 250-500 MBps (megabytes per second). This is roughly 5 times faster than a traditional hard drive which has speeds between 50-150 MBps. This means programs can run more quickly, especially programs that access large amounts of data like your operating system.

Reliability – As mentioned earlier, an SSD has no moving parts. It uses flash memory to store data, which provides better performance and reliability over an HDD and it is also immune to data loss from powerful magnetism.

Power – The SSD uses less power than a standard HDD, which means a lower energy bill over time and increased battery life. Also because there are no moving parts and due to the nature of flash memory, the SSD generates less heat helping to increase its lifespan and reliability.

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This faster performance comes with a caveat. SSDs can wear out over time. The read/write process wears on the drive and over time reduces its performance until the SSD wears out. That said, the time it would take in order for this to happen for the average user is substantially long. You would most likely upgrade your SSD before then for more storage space before it would fail, but it’s still something to keep in mind. Over the past few years SSDs have become much more reliable offering 5-year and even 10-year warranties compared to 2-5 year warranties for mechanical HDDs.

Geek Easy Computers wants to make your upgrades easier! Whether you’re ready to upgrade or still trying to figure it all out, we can assist you with the process. Contact us with any questions in the comments below, via phone at 269-548-TECH(8234), or on Facebook and Google+!

Geek Easy Computers – Making Technology Easier

Adonis Pointer is a photographer, a collector of vintage razors, and a certified technology geek! Adonis has been involved in computer technology since well, a LONG time! He has been involved in nearly every aspect of the industry from sales to repair to training to consulting. As the Social Media Manager he writes the majority of the posts on the Geek Easy Computers blog.