Hard drive is the one of most important computer component. This component has a main function for the computer process itself. Without this, the system data, the program that use for computer work, such as typing or digital imaging, can't be run and use.

This component is located inside the computer case with the other component. But, they are a kind of hard drive that can be used outside the computer case. It's called external hard drive. This kind of hard drive these days have become famous in the computer user community. Because it safer from the infection of the computer virus, or the problem that usually we can see at the internal hard drive such as data corruption and lack of space. External hard drive has a larger size of their storage than the internal hard drive.

Some external hard drives even have cooling fan attach inside it. So it more resistant from heat that can cause the decrease the speed of data transfers. Talk about data transfer speed, external hard drive uses the high-speed interface cable to connect to the computer. With this equipment, that usually uses the USB and Fire Wire connection, it can transfer data from computer to hard drive and from hard drive to the computer, faster and safer than internal hard drive.

Hard drive have two formats, there are: SATA (Serial Advance Technology Attachment) and IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics). Even the IDE format, which is using 40-pin connection, is cheaper than SATA, but SATA is faster than IDE. It is six time faster precisely.
Other thing that we can notice, this hard drive with the larger size of it storage than internal hard drive, can save the large image file, movie file like a DVD movie, and also can back up the entire contain of the internal hard drive itself. So this is the one of the advantage the external hard drive than internal hard drive.

Other advantage of the external hard drive is the plug and play system. With this system, external hard drive can be easily used. And even it can turn off while it still on line. So the data is more safe and secure.

External hard drive has 5 main parts in it case, which is called a HDA (Hard Disc Assembly). There are, the Platters, the Spindles and Spindle Motor, the Read/Write Head and the Head Actuator. The Platters shape like a plate disc, and it function is to store the magnetized data. It made from glass or ceramic because these materials are more heat resistant. The Spindles and Spindle Motor function as a spinner of the Platters. It spins at speed from 3600 to 7200 rpm. The Read/Write Head has a job to write and read the magnetized data in the Platters. All of these parts are attach to the Head Actuator.

With all those advantage that external drive has, makes this computer component are worthy to buy. You can even buy it for each different function, like for data saver, back up and multimedia container.