What is the point of an external HDD?

can be used for a multiple of things like to back up files, or used like a portable usb drive, or just for extra storage like if therer is no room for another HD in the case.
 
Exactly as the above two members said. It allows you to transfer large amounts of data much easily then an internal HD, where you would need to take it out of one PC and put it in another.
 
Im nearly there

It all makes sense, except. . ."back up files" I thought that back up files were just back up files. You can back up files with an internal drive or external drive, it doesnt really make any difference.

And as far as a portable USB drive? I thought that a USB drive was just one of those little USB key rings that cant really store/transfer more than 2-4 GB's? And every computer has a USB port, so are saying that you have to a special USB HDD to use those USB key rings?

Other than that, just easy removal? But dont you still have to be able to pull out the drive far enough to disconnect the ribbon cable plugged in from the back of it?
 
You can put an internal HDD into a HDD enclosure that has a USB/FireWire interface. It's like a BIG thumbdrive.
 
It really depends on your external. I use my 80GB to store my backups. I keep photos there, utilities I've downloaded, a copy of my MP3s, etc etc... Pretty soon I also hope to get a physically smaller HD. A 3.5" requires external power, where a 2.5" or less can be powered just be USB. Dragging the 80GB out with the power gets rather annoying.
 
My parents have a 200Gb USB hard drive. They got it because they didn't know how to fit an internal one and didn't want to bother me!
 
Oh, and with newer computers, some can boot from USB devices. So you could actually load an OS on a USB drive and boot to it. Something like BartPE.
 
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