2.5 SATA Hard Drive
If you need help with selecting a 2.5" SATA Hard Drive for your computer this guide will will discuss some of the technology behind the drives and the best places to get them at discounted prices.
2.5 Inch SATA Hard Drive Technology
SATA stands for Serial ATA and is a direct replacement of the older ATA (parallel) technology once used for hard drives. SATA hard drives use a smaller serial cable that interfaces with a bus adapter that is generally integrated into the motherboard. The newer SATA cables communicate over a two paired wire as opposed to a slower 16 conductor wire. In the case of 2.5 " SATA hard drives, they are smaller versions that are primarily used in laptop and notebook computers. On average they are are typically 2.75" wide, 0.37" tall, and 3.96" long in size.
It is possible to use one of these as an external 2.5 SATA hard drive by using a hard drive enclosure case that has a power supply. The power supply connector for 2.5 SATA hard drives is also different. The updated power connector uses a wider and slimmer 15 pin configuration.
SATA vs. SCSI?
Compared to other bus technologies used for storage, SATA hard drives are comparable in speed and usually priced less. SCSI based hard drives are usually faster and can handle more sustained throughput because of their design. SATA drives are perfect for home and small office based applications due to their inexpensive price and similar performance.
Choosing the Right 2.5 Inch SATA Notebook Drive
Chances are you will be using an internal 2.5 SATA hard drive for your notebook or laptop computer. Whether you are upgrading or replacing a drive there are a few things to consider when shopping.
Size
As of this writing, the smallest SATA drive you can get for a notebook is in the 30GB range. The largest is 640GB...although this will probably grow as the technology gets better.
Interface
Generally there are two speeds available and you will need to buy the one that matches your SATA bus speed. They are SATA 1.5GB/S and
SATA 3.0GB/S.
Brand
2.5 SATA hard drives are available from a variety of manufacturers, including Seagate, Western Digital, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Samsung, and Toshiba. The brand that you choose is a matter of preference and may depend on the prices that you find once you start shopping. One brand is usually not any better than the others although many people have a different opinion.
Price
Price will depend on the size and speed of the drive and some brands are just more expensive than others. Expect to pay $50-$400 for a new 2.5 in. SATA hard drive.
Shopping Tips
Now comes the fun part which is finding the best deal on an SATA drive for your notebook computer. You have a few options when trying to find a bargain. Local chain and computer stores may be a great place to start your search. If you get a weekly paper that has sale ads there almost always are deals for these types of drives. The nice thing about buying locally is if there is a problem, returning it to the store for a refund or exchange is just a short drive away.
If price is your main concern and you generally know what you want then our recommendation is to shop on the Web. Some of the bigger computer sites have reviews from consumers so you can see performance and reliability ratings.
Buying a 2.5 SATA hard drive is like purchasing anything else technology related. You need to do some research, figure out your options and make sure your final choice is compatible with your computer. Most often your final choice will come down to price, as the features and speed of these drives are just too close to really make much of a difference.