Portable Hard Drives - just like memory sticks?

Question

Am I right in thinking that a portable hard drive basically works in exactly the same way as a memory stick/pen, but with more storage space?

For instance, could I get a portable hard drive, plug it into a USB on my computer, and copy all my photos, documents programmes etc. onto it, then take it out of the port and store it in a cupboard until I need to access a file on it?

Answer 1

They do, but some need a power supply and they may not be compatible with all devices.

Answer 2

You will use it in exactly the same way, but they are not exactly the same. They are a lot more fragile than a memory stick, they will most often require an external power source. A lot of external hard-drives are external versions of the type of hard-drive you would find inside your computer inside an enclosure with a fan and a usb connection, so if it gets dropped or knocked and you are unlucky it might cause problems. Memory sticks use flash memory which is a solid state technology and a lot more portable due to the absense of moving parts.

Answer 3

Yes.

I have a number of pocket siized USB drives (check out Ebay).

They work just like memory sticks, and come in sizes from a few gigs to hundreds of gigs.

Answer 4

Yes

Answer 5

yes precisely! although on most external hard drives you can press a button on it and it copies everything of your internal hard drive.

Answer 6

Yes you can but beware of cheap portable hard drives. If you want a cheap fix just buy a couple of large capacity memory stcks they have no moving parts and rarely ever fail. Some portable hardrives have been known to fail and then you loose all your back-ups.  

Answer 7

Sounds like you are on the right track except that portable hard drives usually have a hard disk with them. You are thinking of a portable flash drive. It has no moving parts.

Portable flash drives do indeed work along the lines of a USB memory stick.

xx VP

Answer 8

yeah,

usually if they are over 250gb they require a seperate power supply

but if you don't care about that then go for a 1.5gb usb hdd

Answer 9

Yes you are right.

There can be other differences as well though.

A USB stick is bus powered, meaning it does not need an external source of power.

There are some USB drives that are bus powered as well, but most have a separate power source - so you`ll need a spare power outlet as well.

Answer 10

in some what they are, however portable hard drives are fragile while memory sticks are flash memory which make them a tad more reliable if they (god forbid) fell out of your pocket or bag for example.

I usually take both, portable hard disk for the big files (backup, videos,etc), and memory sticks for the little files or the quick transfers (photos, etc). it's handy to keep both, flash memory has become a lot cheaper nowadays, I bought an 8GB flash memory stick for US$ 20 the other day