This means that with proper mapping of the data stored on a platter, the hard drive can access any individual blocks of data equally fast, regardless of where the blocks are encoded on the platter.īecause this technology is so mature and the components are relatively cheap, HDDs offer the best combination of storage and price. Rather than storing data sequentially, HDDs store data using random-access methods. HDDs store data using spinning platters coated with a magnetic material, while a magnetic head mounted on a moving actuator arm reads data from the platter and writes data to it. HDD: The HDD is the oldest type of internal hard drive, invented in 1954. Internal hard drives are divided into three distinct categories: the traditional magnetic storage hard disk drive (HDD), the solid-state drive (SSD) and the hybrid drive. When looking for an internal hard drive, there are several things you need to consider, including storage type, capacity, speed, and other features. If you’re looking for a drive for your NAS, be sure to select one that specifically advertises that. Some hard drives are designed to work with network-attached storage (NAS) servers.