[RESOLVED] Diff between USB 2n3 for a flash drive for my Pc/Laptop
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Thread: [RESOLVED] Diff between USB 2n3 for a flash drive for my Pc/Laptop

  1. #1
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    Resolved [RESOLVED] Diff between USB 2n3 for a flash drive for my Pc/Laptop

    HP m7 j020dx Laptop

    I need to get a large capacity USB flash drive for my laptop. I want to back it up. I don't want to back up to the cloud - no ones business what is on my drive.

    I see there are USB 2 and 3 available. What is the difference? I would assume a USA 3 is faster - but don't know if it will work with my laptop?

    My hard drive is large but I was smart enough to save all files to a master directory/folders and then working my way down (sub directories) from there so I don't have to pick and choose what files to back up going from program to program.

    From my main master directory/folder I have 50Gigs of data so I would want my USB drive to handle that plus maybe 3 more backups so I don't have to delete old backups to make room for new backups.

    I think that a USB 3 may be faster than a 2 but don't know.

    URG!! I used to be so up to date on technology 20 years ago but lost track.

  2. #2
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    USB3.0 is roughly 10x faster than USB2.0.
    https://www.diffen.com/difference/USB_2.0_vs_USB_3.0

    An external USB hard drive would usually be faster than a flash drive.

    Note that if you only have the data in one location, you don't actually have a "backup".

  3. #3
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    According to HP, that laptop has:
    4 SuperSpeed USB 3.0, 1 supporting USB Boost

    You would want a USB 3 external drive, as they are much faster.

    You want room for backups of files, PLUS full image backups of the internal drive partitions so you could back up and restore everything including the OS and settings.

    Not sure what price range you are looking for, but below are some links that might be useful:

    https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100167...305%2050001306
    https://www.newegg.com/seagate-model...quicklink=true
    https://www.newegg.com/seagate-model...quicklink=true
    https://www.newegg.com/model-wdbu6y0...quicklink=true
    https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100167...305%2050001306
    https://www.newegg.com/black-wd-elem...quicklink=true

  4. #4
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    USB 2.0

    Released : April 2000
    Speed : High Speed or HS, 480 Mbps (Megabits per second)
    Signaling Method : Polling mechanism i.e can either send or receive data (Half duplex)
    Price : For a similar product, the USB 2.0 version is generally less expensive than it's USB 3.0 version.
    Power Usage : Up to 500 mA
    Number of wires within the cable : 4
    Standard-A Connectors : Grey in color
    Standard-B Connectors : Smaller in size

    USB 3.0

    Released : November 2008
    Speed : 10 times faster than USB 2.0. Super Speed or SS, 4.8 Gbps (Giga bits per second)
    Signaling Method : Asynchronous mechanism i.e. can send and receive data simultaneously (Full duplex)
    Price : For a similar product, the USB 3.0 version is generally more expensive than it's USB 2.0 version.
    Power Usage : Up to 900 mA. Allows better power efficiency with less power for idle states. Can power more devices from one hub.
    Number of wires within the cable : 9
    Standard-A Connectors : Blue in color
    Standard-B Connectors : Extra space for more wires

    I hope this helps.

  5. #5
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    Midknyte: Thanks.
    I basically knew the USB3 was faster than the 2 but did not know how much faster or the technical differences and if my system could even handle a USB3 device.
    I was not really considering an external drive instead of a flash drive only because of what I thought the external drive would cost comparing to a flash drive (remember, I am thinking of technology back years ago).

    I am 64 and my mind is still good to some degree. I used to build PCs back around 1995 to 1998. In computer technology that was around 140 years-computer-wise (1 year human life = 7 years computer technology-or there abouts).

    Note that if you only have the data in one location, you don't actually have a "backup".
    Midknyte: Yes, I am aware of that fact. I am talking about if I save a spreadsheet, video, document etc I save it under one master directory. I know that I won't have a back up of my entire system in case of a crash. I would have to reload the OS, upgrades of my OS, all my programs, etc again to bring my system "back from the dead". But thank you for letting me know. Again, this concept of mine was based on the fact that I had no clue of what may system could handle nor how much external drives have dropped in price over the years.


    sukarno: I still know the difference between Giga and Mega bites. Even at this old age. I appreciate you showing me the comparison-appreciated!
    Power Usage: I know what a Ma is as I am a retired electrician but don't know how it relates to a USB drive or even if I should be concerned about a Ma in this respect.
    How many wires within the cable: Again don't know how this relates to a USB drive etc. I know as an electrician how many wires in a cable determines what it can be used for :-)
    Thanks for the info sukarno


    jdc2000: Thanks for letting me know what my system has. I could read the specs and not understand what it has. I bought this system back in Dec 2013 knowing it would be years before I could buy another computer so I splurged at Best Buy for it - around $1,200.00 when I had the money.
    So I have USB3s and a boost (have no clue what a boost is but I guess it may be better than a USB3).
    I am using one of the USB ports for a wireless mouse/keyboard combo. Don't know which one it is though.
    Anyway, as I mentioned above my thought pattern was still in old times that external drives costs hundreds of dollars. Yes, I have seen them online and the prices but had no clue that my system could handle an external for such a low price as the links you provided. Just need a bit more guidance on this issue though.
    I do know that if my system takes a dump I would have to reload everything from scratch. I do remember some program or procedure called "ghost" that takes from what I think is a snap shot of your system <--- my terminology as I don't know what the terminology is. To "image" my system I guess has become much cheaper than years ago. I don't know what software I would need and how complicated it would be to "image" my system. I know it would be a world of difference to have an "image" of my system if something were to happen to it. I also don't have any clue how much space I would need to image my system so I don't have any clue what size external drive to buy. I would think I have to buy a program to image my system properly and then there is the cost of the external drive with it. Understanding that at my age investing in the imaging program and the external drive would be to my best interest - that is if the procedure of imaging or restoring an image would not overwhelm me where the cost of the external drive and the imaging program just would not be warranted.

    My hard drive is about 1T. I have only used 177Gigs. My concern again is a major crash or virus ( I use AVG "Free" edition for that). I am leaning to buying an external hard drive now that you have shown me how low in price the are compared to my old memory of them and the fact that I know I should image my drive. I would have no problem buying an external drive (within my budget) but don't know if I should go for a 1 or 2T drive as I don't know how much space the imaging program would take up or the backup it would create. The price difference between a 1 or 2T drive is not that much so maybe I should go for the 2T drive. Some of the prices seem out of wack though so hard for me to figure which is best in the way of a brand (I know Seagate is good from my past experience). I am willing to pay up to $75 before tax for an external drive.
    Reasoning for my confusion is maybe because the listing prices are not correct.
    One of the links you gave me
    Example:
    https://www.newegg.com/seagate-model-stea4000400-4tb/p/N82E16822178817?&quicklink=true

    4TB is $89.99 but a 3TB is $143.14. Is this because even though a 3TB drive has less storage than a 4TB drive the components are that much different that the cost is so much more for a 3TB than a 4TB? This is what really confuses me and then I don't know what I am looking at in the way of comparison and the dollar for dollar.

  6. #6
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    On external drives, I look at the ratings as well as the capacity. You want a drive with the best ratings first and capacity second that you can get. You don't want your backup drive failing. I have generally stayed away from drives with an odd capacity rating, as they reliability over the years has not been as good as it could have been, so 3 TB, 5 TB, etc. drives are not on my list. A 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB, 8 TB, or 10 TB drive (or larger) might be on my list of options. A 2 TB or 4 TB drive should be enough capacity for your needs. I usually make a quick Excel sheet with Capacity and Price, and then add a column for cost per GB to find the best value on a drive. I only buy Seagate or Western Digital drives. Other brands could be OK, but I have not used them and have had good success with the 2 mentioned. I usually don't worry about most other specs, except drive speed. I always go for 7200 rpm drives if possible, and no hybrid drives (SSD + magnetic). I don't worry about how many platters or heads a drive has.

    For imaging software, I use Acronis, and I almost always run it from the bootable CD/DVD rather than actually installing it. There are other free options also, but Acronis is relatively inexpensive, especially if you can get it on sale at Newegg.

    Links:

    https://www.pcworld.com/article/2029...s-imaging.html

    https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/fi...cloning-tools/

    https://www.techradar.com/best/best-...oning-software


    For backup software (not imaging), you can use the free Microsoft SyncToy or SyncBack from 2brightsparks.

  7. #7
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    Thanks for the info jdc2000

    I can remember when I used to build PCs that Seagate and Western Digital were the best to use and that is what I will probably go with in brand name.

    Ok, now I understand the difference in pricing between "even" and "odd" capacity hard drives (external etc). Yes, would make sense to go for the 2tb. I have to do some price comps. And yes, I do remember that key 7200 rpms on drive speed also.

    On the one article comparing clone to image it states that if I do an image then I have to get another internal hard drive for my laptop where a clone I can get up and running faster. If my hard drive (internal) crashes due to mechanical then of course I would have to think about putting in a new internal hard drive. What if it was just corruption of system files or maybe a bad virus that I did not want to have to deal with and just wanted to swap my image/clone to transfer my data to my existing internal hard drive. Does imaging still require me to get a new internal hard drive to restore my image to get up and running again? I think I am being confused by the wording of the article.
    https://www.pcworld.com/article/2029...s-imaging.html

  8. #8
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    You can create an image to an external or a network drive using Acronis, even if you boot from the Acronis disc, and probably with other software as well, and can restore an image to the existing internal hard drive if needed.

    If you have a desktop computer you can also remove the laptop drive and connect it to the desktop to create backup images or restore saved images.

  9. #9
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    jdc2000

    I think I am going to skip the purchase of an imaging program like Acronis. It sounds like a very good tool from what I have read but it lists at $49.

    This link you gave me here
    https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/fi...cloning-tools/
    lists free imaging/cloning software.

    My original budget was for a flash-drive but willing to expand that to at least an external drive; but to include the cost of Acronis is pushing the budget after evaluating my needs.

    If I purchase this external Seagate 2T drive (which is one that you had suggested above)
    https://www.newegg.com/seagate-model...82E16822178745
    I see it comes with a usb cord. is this the only cord I will need in order for this to connect to my laptop?

    Which of the free imaging/cloning tools listed in your link
    https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/fi...cloning-tools/
    lists free imaging/cloning software.
    do you think I should get. I don't have a complicated system. My needs are basic. Main concern is if I have a system crash I can restore from an image without having to do too much technical stuff which will take hours. I want to be able to make a backup of my laptop drive to the external drive. In case of a failure restore from the external.

    Your suggestions so far have been spot on and I trust your judgement. And again I thank you very much for your help and your time especially in assisting me and answering my questions. I could never have come this far without the help.

  10. #10
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    Acronis 2020 is currently available for $40. I have seen sale prices at times of less than $20.

    For a free alternative, Macrium Reflect or EaseUS (or any of the ones at the links below) should work OK.

    https://www.techradar.com/best/best-...oning-software
    https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/fi...cloning-tools/

    For connecting an external (non-Flash) drive to your laptop, you need one USB cable for data transfer, but if the drive does not have another external power source, you may need a second USB cable for power if the laptop cannot supply sufficient power using one cable. Check the specs for the drive you select. If the drive only has one USB connection, then that is all you can connect. That Seagate drive should only need the one USB cable.

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  12. #12
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    Thanks to everyone for your help.
    I just purchased from Newegg this external drive
    Seagate 2TB Expansion Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0 Model STEA2000400 Black

    Stay healthy everyone!! and thanks again for all your help and suggestions.

    I have not decided yet what imaging program I will get or buy. The drive won't be here for a while so I have time to decide.

  13. #13
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    I swear by Acronis True Image. Not overly expensive and it's saved my butt many a time.

    VirtualDr email notices are not working.
    Check back regularly for responses.

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  15. #15
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    Thanks jdc2000
    I guess I was not fast enough to buy it. Just checked it. The promo code is not for Acronis now but for and i7. Acronis is $39.99

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