

MLC memory can thus have a larger amount of storage without physical size increasing, are available for a cheaper price, but have slower and less precise write speeds. Because it can hold both bits, there are four possible values: 00, 11, 01, and 10.

Multi-level cell (MLC): These cells can each hold two bits of data per cell - a 1 and a 0. SLC solid-state drives are typically used in an enterprise scenario because of their price but are available to everyone. The trade-off is that it is also the most expensive. There are thus only two possible values that can be read from each cell.įor this reason, SLC memory is the fastest and most precise when it comes to writing, takes the least amount of power, and will last the longest. Single-level cell (SLC): These cells can each hold one bit of data - either a 1 or a 0. There are three types of memory that you should look out for when buying an SSD: If you're backing up important data, it's never a bad idea to save it on an SSD. On top of all these perks, SSDs also have a way lower failure rate than HDDs. Differences in speed loading apps on your PC might be minimal - you probably won't notice if Office apps load in two seconds rather than four - but using an SSD to boot Windows 10 will significantly cut time spent twiddling your thumbs. Most people who've been using Windows for years know how long boot times can be when using an HDD. SSDs also require less power, so your laptop battery should last longer. This saves space to include other hardware in the laptop and reduces weight and thickness. Mobility is a huge part of laptops SSDs are both smaller and lighter than HDDs. SSDs are far less likely to be affected by impacts. HDDs with their moving parts can be damaged if they're spinning when the drop or impact happens. Laptops can take a beating while they travel with you - having a storage device that isn't disrupted by bumps is a huge boon. There are a number of reasons why you might want to opt for an SSD in place of a standard HDD. Most SSDs instead use NAND flash memory, which is relatively stable and will last for years. In fact, there are no moving parts at all. Unlike traditional hard-disk drives (HDD), there is no actuator arm that has to move across a spinning magnetic platter to read or write data.

It has an In/Out interface, usually in the form of SATA or PCIe, that feeds power and transfers data.

When you get down to a base level, an SSD is just some memory chips on a circuit board. We take a look at solid-state drives and what's inside them to help prepare you for your next storage device. Many Windows PC users wade into the solid-state drive (SSD) market without the knowledge needed to make an informed buying choice. Update March 13, 2017: We've refreshed this article with some new resources and more information on swapping out your old drive with a new solid-state drive.
