Drive type
The type of storage device that is installed in the computer.
Note that many PCs allow you to add a complete drive or even completely replace it, but it is more convenient to buy a suitable configuration initially and not bother with re-equipment. In terms of types, traditional hard disk drives (
HDD) are increasingly losing ground to
SSD solid-state modules nowadays. In addition,
HDD + SSD combinations are quite popular (including those using advanced
Intel Optane and
Fusion Drive technologies). But solutions such as SSHD and eMMC have practically fallen into disuse. Let's take a closer look at these options:
— HDD. Classic hard disk. The key advantage of such drives is their low cost per unit of volume — this allows you to create capacious and at the same time inexpensive storage. On the other hand, HDDs are noticeably inferior to SSDs in terms of speed, and they also do not tolerate shocks and shocks. Thus, this type of media is less and less used in its pure form — it is much more common to find a combination of a hard drive with an SSD module (see below).
— SSD. Solid state drives based on flash memory. With the same volume, an SSD is much more expensive than an HDD, but this is justified by a number of advantages. First, such drives are much faster than hard drives; specif
...ic performance may be different (depending on the type of memory, connection interface, etc.), however, even inexpensive SSDs outperform advanced HDDs in this indicator. Secondly, solid-state memory has no moving parts, which offers several advantages at once: lightness, compactness, shock insensitivity and low power consumption. And the cost of such memory is constantly decreasing as technology advances. So more and more modern PCs are equipped with just such drives, and these can be configurations of any level — from low-cost to top ones.
— HDD+SSD. The presence in one system of two drives at once — HDD and SSD. Each of these varieties is described in more detail above; and their combination in one system allows you to combine the advantages and partially compensate for the shortcomings. For example, an SSD (which usually has a fairly small capacity) can store system files and other data for which speed of access is important (for example, work applications); and HDD is well suited for large volumes of information that do not require particularly high speed (a typical case is video files and other multimedia content). In addition, the solid-state module can be used not as a separate storage, but as an intermediate cache to speed up the hard drive; however, this usually requires special software settings (whereas the "two separate drives" mode is most often available by default).
We also emphasize that in this case we are talking about “ordinary” SSD modules that do not belong to the Optane and Fusion Drive series; the features of these series are detailed below.
HDD + Optane. Combination of a traditional hard drive with an Intel Optane series SSD. For more information about the general features of this combination, see "HDD + SSD" above. Here, we note that “optains” differ from other SSD drives in a special three-dimensional structure of memory cells (3D Xpoint technology). This allows you to access data at the level of individual cells and do without some additional operations, which speeds up the speed and reduces latency, and also has a positive effect on memory life. The second difference is that Optane is usually used not as a separate drive, but as an auxiliary buffer (cache) for the main hard drive, designed to increase speed. Both drives are perceived by the system as a single device. The disadvantage of this type of SSD is traditional — a rather high cost; it is also worth noting that its superiority is most noticeable at relatively low loads (although it does not disappear completely with increasing load).
— HDD + Fusion Drive. A kind of HDD + SSD bundle (see above), used exclusively in Apple computers and optimized for the proprietary macOS operating system. However, it would be more correct to compare this option with the “HDD + Optane” combination (also described above): for example, both drives are perceived by the system as a single unit, and the Fusion Drive module is also used as a high-speed cache for the hard drive. However, there are also significant differences. Firstly, Fusion Drive has significant volumes and is used not only as a service buffer, but also as part of a full-fledged drive — for permanent data storage. Secondly, the total volume of the entire bundle approximately corresponds to the sum of the volumes of both drives (minus a couple of "service" gigabytes). This type of drive is expensive, but the efficiency and convenience are well worth the price.
— SSHD. The so-called hybrid drive: a device that combines a hard drive and a small SSD cache in one case. Some time ago, this solution was quite popular, but now it is almost never found, having been supplanted by a more practical option — various types of HDD + SSD.
— eMMC. A type of solid-state memory originally developed for portable gadgets such as smartphones and tablets. It differs from SSD, on the one hand, in lower cost and low power consumption, on the other hand, in relatively low speed and reliability. Because of this, this type of drive is used extremely rarely — in particular, in single models of microcomputers and thin clients (see "Type").
— HDD + eMMC. Combination of hard disk drive (HDD) and eMMC solid state module. These types of drives are described in detail above; here we note that this option is extremely rare, and in rather specific devices — monoblocks (see "Type") with a transformer function, where the screen is a removable tablet that can be used autonomously. In such a tablet, an eMMC module is usually installed, and a hard drive is placed in the stationary part. However, another option is also possible — a bundle similar to HDD + SSD (see above), where eMMC is used to reduce cost and/or power consumption.
— SSD + eMMC. Another combination of the two types of drives described above. It was used in single monoblocks and nettops — mainly to reduce the cost; Today, this variant is almost non-existent.Drive capacity
Объем основного накопителя, поставляемого в комплекте с ПК. Для моделей с комбинированными хранилищами (например, HDD+SSD, см. «Тип накопителя») основным в данном случае считается более емкий жесткий диск; а если в комплекте два HDD, то они обычно имеют одинаковую вместимость.
С чисто практической стороны чем больше данных вмещает накопитель — тем лучше. Так что выбор по данному показателю упирается в основном в цену: большая емкость неизбежно означает и более высокую стоимость. Кроме того, напомним, что SSD-модули в пересчете на гигабайт емкости обходятся заметно дороже жестких дисков; так что сравнивать по сочетанию объема и стоимости можно только носители одного типа.
Что касается конкретной вместимости, то объем в
250 ГБ и менее в современных ПК можно встретить основном среди SSD. Жесткие диски такого объема практически не встречаются, для них емкость
от 250 до 500 ГБ все еще считается довольно скромной.
501 – 750 ГБ является довольно неплохим значением для SSD и среди них же в основном и используется.
751 ГБ – 1 ТБ — внушительный показатель для SSD и средний уровень для жестких дисков,
1,5 – 2 ТБ является весьма солидной емкостью даже для HDD. А очень высокая вместимость —
более чем в 2 ТБ — как ни парадоксально, встречается даже среди чистых SSD: такие
...накопители устанавливаются в высококлассные рабочие станции, где скорость работы не менее важна, чем вместимость.Rotational latency
The nominal rotation speed of the hard drive spindle (see "Drive type") installed in the PC.
The platters of hard drives in working condition rotate constantly. The standard rotation speeds found in modern PCs are 5400 and 7200 rpm (revolutions per minute — revolutions per minute). A higher rotation speed speeds up data access, but significantly affects the cost of the drive. In addition, "fast" drives are considered less reliable (which is often offset by various design tricks, but they also affect the price).
Kensington / Noble lock
Nest on the body for a special lock that protects against theft. With the help of such a lock, a thin metal cable can be attached to the case, “tying” the PC to a table, wall, or other fixed / heavy object. This feature is especially useful for devices located in public places — for example, in the trading floors of stores or at exhibition stands. Of course, the lock does not provide absolute protection against kidnapping, but it greatly complicates the theft "on a dash".
Note that
Kensington and Noble are two different types of security locks and are not mutually compatible. The socket on the body can be designed for both of these standards at once, or only for one of them; this point should be clarified separately.
