SSDs are fast, but not always the answer. Here’s why

The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of solid-state drives (SSDs) compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). While SSDs offer faster boot times, program loading, and game loading, they have limitations in terms of storage capacity and cost-effectiveness, especially for users who need to store or archive large amounts of data. The article highlights that inexpensive SSDs typically have a capacity of 256 to 512GB, while HDDs in the same price range offer 1 to 2TB of storage. Additionally, a 2TB internal SSD can cost significantly more than a 2TB HDD. Users focused on price-performance ratio or those who prefer to allocate their budget towards other components like graphics cards or RAM may find HDDs more attractive. The article also discusses the longevity of SSDs and HDDs, noting that SSDs have a limited number of write cycles, which may not be an issue for everyday use but could be a concern for heavy write loads such as frequent backups. HDDs are considered more robust in such scenarios. Additionally, HDDs are better suited for long-term archiving without permanent use. Finally, the article mentions that older computers may not support modern SSD standards, making HDDs a simpler and more cost-effective alternative, especially when paired with a lightweight Linux system. The article concludes that SSDs are the optimal choice for speed, energy efficiency, and mobile use, but HDDs may be the better option for users who need large storage capacity, have a tight budget, or want to continue using older hardware. The suggested solution is to use an SSD for the operating system and programs, and an HDD for large data and backups.