You’ve picked the perfect laptop for uni – but its internal storage drive can only hold so many essays. A lot like your brain after your fourth lecture in a row, overloading your laptop can make it sluggish and unresponsive. Not to mention there’s the risk of losing everything if your laptop’s stolen or broken.
To keep your stuff safe, you might want to pick up an external hard drive. They’ll let you back up all that hard work. So, if you run into any tech trouble, you’re covered. But which one should you go for?
What sizes do external storage drives come in?
Storage space is measured in megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB) and terabytes (TB). You can find storage drives offering anything from 256GB to 16TB, depending on how much you’ll need for your course.
How much space do I need?
This depends on a few things. How big are the files you’re going to be saving? What programs will you be using? And how many projects do you reckon you’ll be working on?
If you’re studying a subject that mainly involves writing essays, you’ll need less space than a design student who regularly uses intensive software like Adobe Illustrator, Premiere or Revit.
Why? Because basic text files don’t take up that much space. Photos are a bit larger, while music, video and 3D design files are pretty storage-hungry. The below is a good rule of thumb…
500GB can hold: 8,330 hours of digital music / 160,000 digital photos / 500 hours of digital video / 125 DVD-quality movies
1TB can hold: 16,660 hours of digital music / 320,000 digital photos / 1,000 hours of digital video / 250 DVD-quality movies
[Source: Seagate]
Comparison table: types of storage for students
Here’s how the main types of storage stack up…
| Feature | USB Flash Drive | Portable SSD (External SSD) | External HDD | Cloud Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portability | Very high – fits in a pocket | High – compact and lightweight | Low – bulky, stays in one place | Very high – accessible from any device |
| Speed | Moderate | Very fast (especially NVMe SSDs) | Moderate to slow | Depends on internet speed |
| Capacity | 16GB to 256GB | 500GB to 4TB | 1TB to 10TB+ | Varies – typically 100GB to several TBs |
| Price | Low (£) | Medium to High (££–£££) | Low to Medium (£–££) | Subscription (£–££) |
| Best Use Case | Quick file transfers and presentations | Fast backups and large file access on the go | Large, long-term storage at home | Automatic, offsite backup & access anywhere |
Storage needs by subject
Like we’ve said above, not all uni courses need the same amount of space. Some students can get by with just the basics, while others need loads of space for chunky files. Heres’ a quick guide to help you figure out what’s right for your subject:
Humanities and social sciences
If you’re just writing essays and doing research, you won’t need much. A laptop with 256GB to 512GB of internal SSD storage should be plenty. Still, it’s smart to have a USB stick or cloud backup on standby just in case.
Media, design and architecture
These courses usually involve huge files – like videos, photos and CAD designs. So, you’ll want at least 1TB of storage, and probably more. A portable SSD or external hard drive is a must-have here.
Computer science and engineering
Coding projects, simulations and software tools can quickly eat up space. We’d aim for 512GB to 1TB of SSD storage. With an external hard drive this big, you’ll have more than enough room for all those backups too.
Film and audio production
You’ll probably be working with high-res video and audio files, so speed and space matter. Go for a fast external SSD or even a RAID-enabled desktop drive if you’re editing on the regular. And it probably goes without saying but get one with enough space. You don’t want to be editing that short film and find out it’s now actually not as short as you thought!
Desktop or portable drive?
There are two types of external drive: desktop and portable.
Do you prefer to knuckle down at home or get a group study sesh in round at your bestie’s flat? Are you more likely to be found hunched over a library desk or curled up working over a latte in town?
Before deciding on a desktop or portable drive, think about how likely you are to move around.
Desktop external drives
Desktop hard drives are bigger and heavier than portable ones and need to be plugged into an external power source to work. Their larger size means they tend to have more capacity than portable drives though - and at a more student-friendly price tag too.
We’d recommend…
The Seagate Expansion External Hard Drive. With 6TB of storage and speedy USB 3.0, it’s got more than enough room for a degree length’s worth of large-scale projects. And if you do accidentally lose your files to water damage or a natural disaster, Rescue Data Services will help you to recover all your hard work. Phew.
Portable external drives
Portable hard drives are made for life on the go. Light and slim, they’re perfect for throwing in your bag or pocket before you head out.
Unlike desktop external drives (that need to be plugged into the mains), portable external drives are powered by your laptop. You can access your files wherever, whenever. Which is perfect for making last-minute changes to a presentation outside your lecture theatre.
They can be pricier than desktop external drives, but you should still be able to get a hefty 1TB device without breaking the bank – like this Toshiba Canvio Basics Portable Hard Drive.
For serious security
You want to keep your Mac files safe and secure, right? The WD My Passport for Mac comes with built-in hardware encryption and password protection to keep your data private. You can even set up a backup routine with Apple’s Time Machine software to automatically save your data whenever you choose.
Want to learn more about cyber security? Check out how to stay safe online.
Lots of photos and creative projects? Make speed a priority
If you’re a design student (or just have loads of Instagrammable photos), you’ll want to go for something that transfers bigger files fast.
Two options to weigh up are hard drives with USB 3.0 or USB-C connectivity, as well as super-speedy SSD hard drives.
USB 3.0 can transfer data at 5 gigabits per second – more than 10 times faster than USB 2.0. And USB-C is twice as fast as USB 3.0!
On the other hand, solid state drives (SSD) can transfer video in seconds. They’re up to 4x faster than regular external hard drives, easily backing up your photos, videos and files. They’re also extremely tough cookies because there are no moving parts.
Any recommendations?
The Samsung T7 is the perfect lightweight external SSD. At only 58g, it won’t slow you down while you rush around campus, and its all-round metal design can handle accidental drops. It has a huge 1TB capacity, transfers 4K videos and high-res photos in seconds, and lets you easily set up a password on PC and Mac. In other words, it’s the ultimate uni sidekick.
Choosing the right storage: SSD vs HDD
When it comes to picking some storage, you’ve got two main contenders – solid state drives (SSD) and hard disk drives (HDD).
Solid state drives:
Fast runners – Portable SSDs are lightning quick. So, they’ll boot up in seconds and run nice and smoothly.
Quiet and cool – With less moving parts, they’re generally quieter and create less heat.
Durable design – They’re a bit more rugged than an HDD. Making them more reliable, and less likely to break after any bumps or scrapes.
Hard disk drives:
Higher capacity – HDDs tend to come with more storage, giving you plenty of space for those chunky research projects.
Cost-effective – If you’re on a tight budget (and let’s be honest, most students are) but still need lots of space, HDDs are a great shout.
Using USB Flash drives for quick backups and file transfers
USB flash drives are still a super handy tool for students too. They’re small, cheap and easy to carry – perfect for quick files transfers or backing up your work in a pinch. And when you’ve got to print an essay at the library – or share a presentation in a seminar – they’re a great shout.
For a regular day on campus, a 64GB to 128GB stick is usually enough. That gives you plenty of space for your documents, slides and even a few videos. Just make sure it supports USB 3.1 or 3.2. These versions are way faster than the older ones, so you won’t be stuck waiting around.
If you’re working on sensitive stuff (like coursework or other personal projects), look for a drive with encryption. It adds an extra layer of security, keeping your files safe if the drive gets lost. They’re small after all, so it’s easily done!
Cloud storage vs physical storage: pros and cons
How does cloud storage stack up against good old physical storage? Let’s have a look…
Cloud storage pros:
Accessibility – You can open up your files on any gadget with an internet connection. Letting you work across your phone, tablet and laptop.
Automatic backups – The software will regularly upload the latest version of your work. So, if anything goes wrong, there’ll always be an up-to-date version you can use.
Save space – By storing projects in the cloud, you won’t need to worry about your laptop running out of room.
Cloud storage cons:
You need an internet connection – Without one, you won’t be able to get to your files.
Security risks – Like with anything online, there’s always a risk of hacking. Even the biggest companies with the tightest security can get hacked.
Regular fees – Some cloud services will charge you every month to use them. The more storage space, the more you’ll usually pay.
Physical storage pros:
Offline access – No internet? No problem. Your files are right there on the device.
Security – You decide who has access. Unless you lose it of course…
Pay once – Once you’ve bought it that’s it. You won’t have to shell out on a subscription or extra fees.
Physical storage cons:
Easy to lose – Physical storage can easily be lost, stolen or damaged.
Limited space – Once it’s full, you’ll need to buy another one or delete files to free up some room.
Wear and tear – If you’ve had it for absolutely ages, it might suddenly stop working right when you need it.
Tech tip: We’d suggest going for a mix of the two. Cloud storage is more convenient – and those automatic backups can be a life saver. While physical storage means you’ll still be able to access your work, even when that dodgy Wi-Fi in your student halls goes down again.
Back up with Currys Cloud storage solutions
Speaking of cloud storage, did you know we’ve got our very own cloud backup service? And it’s super easy to get started with too. Just download the app to your computer, and your files will all be automatically backed up. And it doesn’t matter what platform you’re on either. Our software works across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Amazon Fire devices.
Here’s what you get:
Secure storage in UK data centres – Our advanced encryptions keep your files private and safe from prying eyes.
Helpful support – Get help whenever you need it over email, the web or the phone.
Automatic file backup – There’s no manual process here. Your files get uploaded to the cloud automatically, and they’re kept secure, even if your device is stolen, lost or you spill tea over it.
Access on all devices – Open up your files on any gadget, from your phone to your tablet or laptop.
Still not convinced? Here’s why you need to start backing up your files to the cloud.
Backup strategies for students
Losing all your hard work can be an absolute nightmare. Especially if it’s right before a big deadline. So, don’t risk it! Back up all those important assignments and projects whenever you make any changes to them.
The 3-2-1 rule – Make three copies of your data (one main one and two backups). Then store them on two bits of physical media – like an external HDD and a USB stick - with another version uploaded digitally in the cloud.
Automate it – If you always forget to back up your work, find some software to do it for you. It’ll automatically update and store your files every so often. And you won’t have to remember to do it manually.
Update regularly – Speaking of backups, double check that they’re definitely up to date. Especially before exams or submission deadlines.
The best of both worlds – Sign up to and upload your work on some cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Then get yourself an external hard drive or SSD for a physical copy of your most important files.
So, you’re off to uni then? We’ve rounded up the essential tech to take with you to uni halls. You can thank us later. And if you’re shopping around for a new laptop before heading off, here’s why Chromebooks are great for students.
