This article outlines the best hard drive deals available as part of Cyber Monday and Black Friday discounts. Although mechanical drives may feel outdated, they still offer affordable storage solutions for various uses. Act quickly to secure your purchase before stock runs out.
Top Hard Drive Deals and Storage Options
Many hard drives are designed differently, affecting their performance and price. It’s important to know the differences in technologies, such as conventional magnetic recording (CMR) and shingled magnetic recording (SMR). We continuously update our list of deals for the best options available.
We feature hard drives for internal PCs, NAS systems, and external options. Some external drives can be “shucked,” meaning the internal drive can be removed for use in a desktop. Shucking voids any warranty, so research compatibility before attempting.
Key Features to Consider When Buying
When choosing a hard drive, pay attention to its form factor. The most common for high-capacity drives is 3.5 inches, while 2.5-inch drives offer fewer options. Also, ensure your computer case accommodates the drives you intend to use.
For desktop PCs, SATA interfaces facilitate easy expansion, while SAS is typically found in servers. While seeking the lowest price per terabyte, remember that performance matters based on recording technology and RPM, which directly impacts speed and efficiency.
Performance and Specialized Drives
HDD performance is often measured in RPM; higher values indicate better speed. Drives with more DRAM can cache data more effectively, but ensure that this feature doesn’t compromise other service aspects.
Specialized drives are available for tasks like NAS, surveillance, or media storage. Choose models that best suit your needs, whether you require high capacity, lower RPM for quiet operation, or specific performance features.
