External hard drives are often considered cold storage devices, meant for temporary connections to computers for file transfers. However, many users find that keeping these drives constantly connected can enhance convenience, despite potential risks like data corruption or hardware wear. For instance, one user, who has numerous external drives attached to their laptop, treats them as if they were internal drives, storing backups and media files.
The user prefers to maintain their DRM-free games on these drives, allowing easy access without needing to re-download updates frequently. This method, dubbed “semi-cold” storage, relies on the drives remaining plugged in to function effectively. While solid-state drives (SSDs) boast numerous advantages over mechanical hard drives, including performance, their higher cost per gigabyte makes them less suitable for long-term storage of non-application data.
Ultimately, the approach to managing external drives varies among users, with some prioritizing accessibility over the potential downsides associated with prolonged connectivity.