[SOLVED] Durability: 2.5" HDD Vs. 3.5" HDD

[MandelaEffect2000]

Hey,

So given the fact that notebooks are designed to be mobile devices, are 2,5" hard disks also more resistant to external impact than desktop hard disks?

Thanks!

 

[k1114]

Because they both work the same, they will still get damaged the same way. When on, a small bump can crash the head. Some laptop hdds may have g sensors to park the head when falling but very few have it. It's much better to get a ssd if durability is a concern.

 

[MandelaEffect2000]

I didn't know about the existence of "G sensors" on laptops, thanks.

But like aren't 2.5" hard disks projected and built to be more resistant as a result of being used primarily on portable devices?

Being portable means these hard disks will have to withstand more heat and vibration possibly.

 

[k1114]

No, they aren't very fragile in the first place while off when they are most likely to be moved. It's when they are on that's the risky time. The head is millionths of a inch (micrometers) from the platter. That's just how hdds work so nothing will make it more drop/vibration resistant other than getting the head away from the platter. While parked, hdds are pretty stout, desktop or laptop, and the rest of the pc will be damaged before the hdd is. Being smaller and lighter will help during impact but that's still negligible when the rest of the laptop will be damaged first. If it's a portable/in an enclosure then that may help but that's why they make drop resistant enclosures. It makes no sense to make the hdds more drop resistant when it would make no difference. As for heat, the limitation is again the same as they work the same. They get hotter as they don't have the airflow like a desktop but they are typically lower rpm so less power used and less heat produced.