From a hard disk as big as a double door fridge to store 5 MB data to a memory card as small as a nail on your pinky finger to store 1 TB data, we have come a long way in terms of storage devices. Nowadays, we have so much data to preserve that the inbuilt storage capacity of a laptop or computer is not enough. Also, creating DVDs or CDs is an expensive gig in addition to the fact that they can go bad with time. This is where external hard drives become handy.
In India, there are a lot of choices from which you can select the best hard drive for your data. We have so many photos, videos, movies, music, TV series and games to store along with the office work that most of us prefer to buy 2 TB external hard drive for backup. Though online streaming of movies, TV series and music has come to rescue for many, it is not a 100% solution for countries like India where the connectivity is in the development stage.
Features while choosing a 2 TB external hard disk in India
Storage capacity
Though you can easily find hard drives that have the lesser capacity that 2 TB but in today’s time it won’t be a good idea. The difference in the price of 2 TB and 1 TB is less than Rs.1000/- with most of the brands making it a wise choice to choose the 2 TB one.
Connectivity and speed
Based on the USB port, the speed at which data will get transferred from your computer to hard drive will vary. USB 2.0 is the slowest port available and USB 3.1 is the fastest. Most of the hard drives nowadays come with either 3.0 or 3.1 USB port. In terms of speed, while a USB 2.0 port can transfer data at a maximum speed of 60 MBPS, USB 3.0 can transfer it at 625 MBPS and USB 3.1 can transfer it at 1250 MBPS. Please note that if the USB port on your computer is USB 2.0, it will only transfer the data at max 60 MBPS no matter which ports your hard drive has.
There are two types of ports; eSATA and Thunderbolt which are gaining popularity in the market but the devices with these ports are on the expensive end. eSATA can transfer data at a maximum speed of 6 GBPS while the data transfer speed for Thunderbolt port caps at 20 GBPS.
Portability
When we talk about external storage device, its size is one of the major deciding factors. It is always better to choose a hard drive that does not need an external adapter to power up. Also, a thinner and lightweight hard drive will easily fit in your laptop bag or backpack making it a better choice.
Durability
Hard drives have moving parts which may get damaged in the long run. It is better to choose a hard drive that has a shock-resistant feature which will save your device from getting damaged. External hard drives normally come with a warranty period of 2 to 5 years. It is better to check with the manufacturer in case your device faces any issue.
Security
Nowadays many brands provide anti-theft, data recovery, encryption apps, etc. in the hard drive free of cost. These software and applications help in keeping the data safe and secure. Thus while choosing a hard drive, you can consider the one with such software and applications.
Price
As always, the price will be one of the main factors in the final decision. However, if we are talking about sensitive data it is better to go for hard drives that come with features like anti-shock, waterproof and dustproof. For regular use, there are many brands that have made 2 TB hard drives available for a price range between Rs.5000/- and Rs.8000/-.
Warranty
Make sure the warranty on the device starts from the date of purchase. In case you need to register your device with the manufacturer to claim the warranty, get the registration done on the first day before you use it even once.
Compatibility
Make sure to check the compatibility of the device with the operating system of your computer. Some hard drives may require reformatting if you want to use them with MAC OS or Windows depending on the operating system the company chose to go for while pre-formatting it.
Top Seven 2TB External Hard Drives You can Buy in India
While keeping the points mentioned above in mind, here is the list of best 7 2 TB hard drives available in the Indian market to grab. These hard drives will not only ensure the safety of your data but also will give you ample space to create more memories in the form of photos and videos.
1. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 2TB External Hard Drive
For those who care about their data and often move with it, this is the best device. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt HDD comes with a data speed of 130 MBPS. The extreme in-field durability makes it the perfect choice for home and office. It is compatible with the majority of the Operating Systems’ versions in both Mac and Windows. The design of the drive is based on long term usage in extreme conditions. It can work perfectly in low-temperature conditions as well. The company provides one-month complimentary membership of Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan with the hard drive. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty protection plan and Rescue Data Recovery Services.
2. G-Technology 2TB Mobile USB-C External Hard Drive
Stylish golden color, durable structure, and fast 140 MBPS speed makes this hard drive one of the best choices available in the market. The drive runs at a maximum speed of 5400RPM. It is both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible. The sleek and thin design of the drive makes it easy to store and carry. The package includes G-DRIVE Mobile USB-C Hard Drive, USB-C to USB-C Cable, and USB-C to USB-A Cable. It is compatible with both MAC and Windows. For Windows, you will need to format the drive once before you can use it.
3. ADATA 2TB Military Grade External Hard Drive
Known for its durability and sturdy built, ADATA hard drive will never fail to amaze you. This waterproof and dustproof military-grade drive is best suited for those who keep sensitive back up of their data on external drives. HD720 comes with IP68 certification which is for dust and water protection. It comes with a triple-layered cover made out of elastic silicone that makes it shockproof. It is also equipped with a shock sensor which helps in protecting the data. It comes with USB 3.1 cable and is compatible with both Windows and MAC.
4. WD My Passport 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
Western Digital My Passport hard drives are among the most popular brands in the market. WD is known for its sturdy built and durability. The HDD comes with proprietary auto backup software by WD which helps you in taking the backup automatically when you attach your hard drive to the computer. It comes with a USB 3.0 port. As an extra security layer, it has hardware encryption based password protection. It is available in 5 vibrant colors that are black, white, orange, red and yellow. It is compatible with both Windows and MAC computers.
5. ADATA 2TB External Hard Drive
If you are looking for a tough and rugged build that will ensure the safety of your data even in extreme conditions, this amazing HDD by ADATA will be the best solution for you. This military-grade HDD can resist high pressure up to 3000 KG. The device comes with IP6X certification for dust resistance and IPX8 certification for water resistance up to 2 meters for 120 minutes. The durable triple-layer construction of Hard Drive makes it one of the best choices in the market. It comes with USB 3.0 cable and is compatible with both Windows and MAC computers.
6. Transcend 2.5-inch 2TB External Hard Drive
Transcend is known for affordable high-quality computer accessories. This Hard Drive comes with USB 3.0 compatibility and backward it is compatible with USB 2.0. The military-grade shock-resistant built makes it durable and safe for sensitive data. It has advanced 3-stage shock protection system. The plug and play operation of the drive makes it compatible with most of the devices and OS as it does not any additional drivers. The device comes with Transcend Elite data management software. It has a one-touch auto-backup button which takes the backup of the selected folders as soon as you press it.
7. Toshiba Canvio Basic 2TB External Hard Drive
Best known for its design, durability and strong built, Toshiba Canvio Basic is one of the most affordable choices in 2 TB category. The device has USB 3.0 fast connectivity port for quick data transfer. The matte finish of the hard drive makes it elegant to look and safe to carry. The HDD comes with an in-built shock sensor that protects your data. It can run at a maximum speed of 5400RPM. The device comes with a 3 year warranty from the manufacturer. It is compatible with both MAC and Windows.
Points to Remember while using an External Hard Drive
- Do not unplug the drive while in use. That means if there is data transfer happening from your computer to hard drive, you should not unplug the hard drive in the middle of the process. First either let the process complete or cancel it and then safely remove the device from the options.
- Do not open the case of the hard drive. No matter how easy you think it will be to repair the hard drive that has stopped getting detected, it is not advised you open the case on your own especially when you have sensitive data on it and it is in warranty.
- Do not move the hard drive while it is connected to the computer. The disks inside the hard drive rotate at a speed of 5400 RPM which if disturbed can collapse and stop working forever.
Buy 2 TB External Hard drive to Save Sensitive Data
Nowadays we store a lot of data on our smartphones, computers, and laptops. It is not possible to rely on the storage capacity of our devices for years to come. Having an external hard drive at your disposal makes it easier to take backups and clean space on your devices. Based on your requirement, you can choose the best hard drive that has a good transfer rate, looks elegant and falls under an affordable range too. External hard drives are best suited for students, office goers, photographers, video creators, editors and for those too who like to collect music, movies, and TV series.
