A Guide to Data Storage Solutions Available From PC World

Nowadays, it's easy to store large amounts of data and move this data between computers. Back in the days of the floppy disk drive and low-capacity hard drives, it seemed absurd that in just a few years we would be able to store entire movie collections on our computers, and move these to other computers in a matter of minutes. As computer performance has improved, so has the storage technology that backs it up, and today there are many different options available for those who want to back up or transfer their important data. For the beginner, the number of options can be a little overwhelming. But don't worry - this guide has been put together to help explain the technology that keeps your data safe. Each of these storage solutions is easily available from PC World in the UK.

Hard Drives: Almost every modern computer has a hard drive installed internally, but for extra storage most people opt for an external hard drive. There are several different kinds of external hard drive available from PC World, each designed for slightly different applications. Choose accordingly based on the storage space you need and where you intend to use the drive - and if you're still unsure, then the staff at PC World or another reputable computer dealer should be able to help you.

Desktop external hard drives are probably the most popular type. As the name suggests, they are designed to sit on your desk as a semi-permanent fixture - portability is not a major consideration, but they make up for this by being quick and having a high storage capacity. PC World offers desktop drives with up to three terabytes of storage (the equivalent of nearly 5000 CDs).

Portable external hard drives, meanwhile, are slower but smaller. You can keep these in your pocket or in a laptop case, so are ideal for doing work on the go. They can store less data than the big desktop drives but (usually) require no power supply. The only major factor to consider if you're thinking of purchasing one is whether you are planning to use the hard drive for intensive tasks such as movie editing or music production - portable hard drives may be too slow for jobs such as these. PC World sells portable external drives at very affordable prices - but make sure that the speed is high enough for your needs.

Finally, network hard drives tend to be used by small businesses to share commonly-used files because this type of drive can be accessed by any user on a network. They are also used in the home to share music libraries and other files. Despite their popularity with businesses, these storage devices are usually relatively affordable - check the PC World website or any other reputable online dealer for more information.

Removable Storage: Although external hard drives are 'removable', we are using the term to refer to any storage solution that is tailored towards the transfer of data. The main types available from PC World are USB memory sticks and CDs/DVDs. USB sticks are small enough to be attached to a set of keys, but can store as much as 64 gigabytes. They rely on flash memory, making them slower than traditional drives but more reliable, as they have no moving parts. PC World sells USB sticks for less than ten pounds, making them a very affordable option.

CDs and DVDs are even more affordable - writable and rewritable discs can be bought on spindles of 100 extremely cheaply at PC world and other online retailers. However, they scratch easily, so are less useful as a permanent storage solution.

One storage solution that has popped up in recent years as a viable option is cloud storage - where your files are stored 'online', on a hard drive that you only have access to via the internet. This is theoretically more secure than storing the data yourself, and has the added advantage of being accessible from anywhere with internet access. At the time of writing, PC World sells several cloud backup packages.

The days of low-density floppy disks are long gone - nowadays, there are many different data storage options available to consumers, which allow them to store gigabytes of information. All of the storage solutions mentioned in this guide are available from PC World in the UK.