If you’re buying a laptop, reliable speed and storage must be your top priorities. Modern laptops come with SSDs instead of HDDs (hard disk drives) that fulfill both these requirements. A sluggish storage device can slow your task executions even if your computer has a fast CPU. So how would you know what size SSD would be necessary for you?
A 500GB SSD would be enough for most users to hold the operating system and other essential files while maintaining snappy performance. However, there are a lot of different attributes of an SSD that will affect your final purchase other than the offered storage.
There are many types and qualities of SSD, providing different results according to their specifications. That’s why it is crucial to select the best SSD for the price you’re paying.
This guide will tell you everything about SSDs, their types, and what would be the optimum storage size for every user so you can get the one according to your needs.
Are SSDs Better Than Hard Drives?
An SSD (solid-state driver) is an advanced, non-volatile storage device used in newer PCs and laptops. It performs all the essential storage tasks that traditional hard drives perform. However, it comes with many benefits.
Faster Speeds
SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs. The operating system and installed apps are loaded much faster, while the read and write speeds are highly improved.
Convenience
Compared to HDDs, SSDs are much smaller in size. HHDs use a spinning disk with a mechanical arm to read and write data. That’s why it takes more time to process data—however, SSDs only rely on NAND memory and a flash controller that delivers higher speed.
Reliability
An SSD has no moving or rotating mechanical parts, so it is more reliable than HDDs. It can be connected to most modern-day computers through their motherboards. But SSDs cost much more than hard drives on average.
Choosing an SSD Depending Upon the Size
Here are some information on the different sizes of SSDs.
128GB Class
We generally advise you to skip this storage class. It can be seen as the bare minimum storage, which is just enough to handle your operating system and essential apps.
If you try to keep some videos and pictures in your 128GB SSD, you will fill it up in no time. Secondly, they are generally slower; having fewer memory modules and upgrading to the next storage class will cost you less.
250GB Class
256GB should be the minimum required storage for anyone. It gives you enough space for storing lots of media files and even some games, for that matter.
It’s much better than the 128GB SSD because you must always have some free space for the system and apps to work smoothly. However, if your budget allows, investing in the next class could set you right for a very long time.
500GB Class
Now, we’re entering professional territory. 512GB of storage is the sweet spot as it gives you plenty of space for large media files and many heavy titles. You will still be left with plenty of free storage, so you won’t have to worry.
If you’re not a hardcore gamer or a professional worker, you will be delighted with the 512GB storage class.
1TB Class
Unless you’re a gamer with an extensive gaming library or a video editor with large folders, the 1TB mark would be more than enough. These SSDs have recently become very popular, especially among beginner gamers.
Even if you are a light user, having 1TB of storage at hand means you’re set for a long time.
2TB Class
Most average users don’t need to go beyond the 1TB class. Highly professional users or tech enthusiasts will invest in 2TB drives because of the massive storage jump.
If you want to keep a record of your whole career, or you never want to uninstall anything for memory keeping, that’s what the 2TB class is meant for. However, it won’t go cheap on your wallet.
4TB
We’re looking at the most premium personal computer storage option here. Cramming the SSD with enormous media files and graphics-intensive titles won’t be enough to fill this much storage.
But there’s no need for an average user to purchase a 4TB SSD. A high-quality drive will cost you around $400 or even more. Currently, Samsung offers excellent options, but other Chinese manufacturers have also been advancing in this category recently.
Which SSD Should I Buy?
As mentioned earlier, the actual buying decision depends upon your usage. 500GB class would be plenty enough for most people. However, if you want to add those extra gigs to your computer, we advise you to get multiple smaller SSDs instead of a single large drive.
It will save you some money as the higher storage you get, the more price you’ll have to pay, and it’s not proportionate at all. Still, it depends on whether your laptop or PC allows multiple storage device attachments.
The Bottom Line
SSDs have become very popular recently because they are faster, more reliable, and more portable than old HDDs. They come in many storage options, and choosing the best one for you can be tricky.
The 250GB to 500GB class should be more than enough if you’re an average user. For gamers and professionals, more than 1TB should not be required. You can still go higher, but that will require some deep pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Microsoft, the Windows 10 OS only takes up around 32GB of your internal storage. Even if you have a 128GB SSD, it will work fine, but if you plan on adding other apps and files, upgrading to at least 250GB class is recommended.
SSDs are not an ancient technology. They have recently become popular, so we don’t have years of data to back up the answer. However, the average estimated lifespan of an SSD is around ten years, a step up from the five years estimation of HDDs.
