Does your laptop have a need for speed? You’re not alone. As ever-more people work from home and online gaming continues its meteoric rise, everyone’s asking: what’s the best SSD for a laptop?
Computer storage is constantly evolving. Unfortunately, that means a certain degree of obsolescence. You might be fond of your old laptop, but it may not be compatible with the newest solutions. That’s not to say you should throw it out – you just need to make the right selection.
That’s why knowing which type of SSD is best for a laptop is so important. We’re here to help you learn all about SSD storage and how to get your laptop running smoothly.
Which Type of SSD is Fastest for a Laptop?
There are a few key features you want to look out for when choosing new SSD storage:
- Interface. This is how the SSD connects to the host (your computer). Not all computers support all interface types, so it’s vital that you know which interfaces your computer supports before purchasing a new SSD.
- Capacity. This is how much storage the drive possesses. The more storage, the better – many high-end SSDs support multiple TBs (terabytes) of data.
- Write speed. The interface partly determines this, but it describes how fast data will be written to the drive’s memory. Higher write speeds are helpful if you write a lot of data on your laptop.
The higher the write speed and the greater the capacity, the faster your laptop will run. However, it’s important to choose a model with the correct interface because otherwise, you’ll have just bought a flashy device that is incompatible with your laptop and increases its speed by 0%.
What are the 3 Types of SSDs?
So which type of SSD is best for a laptop? The three most common types of storage devices today are:
- SATA. This stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, and it’s still the most common type of SSD. You’ll find these on most older laptops. SATA storage devices offer great functionality and memory, although they’re not as fast as other devices.
- NVMe. These are high-performing storage units – it stands for Non-Volatile Memory express. They were designed to address some issues SATA devices have with long queues.
- PCIe. This stands for Peripheral Component Interface express. Some of the fastest SSD units out there use PCIe connections. Ensure that your device’s interface matches the current generation of PCIe devices, as some older laptops only support generation 3 rather than the ultra-fast generation 4.
If you’ve been wondering, “What are the three types of SSD?” you might also have heard of M.2 and U.2 storage. M.2 tends to be preferred for notebooks and skinny laptops. Meanwhile, U.2. is often used for commercial purposes.
Is 8G RAM with SSD Enough?
We consider 8GB of RAM the minimum memory level for gaming laptops. If you find that your gaming PC is running a bit slowly, you might wish to bolster it with some SSD storage.
RAM is a strained type of memory and struggles when memory-intensive applications are used (e.g. online RTS or FPS games). Adding SSD storage helps your device run up to speed.
So is 8G RAM with SSD enough? If you’re building a gaming desktop and want to get serious about gaming, we’d recommend upgrading to 16GB of RAM and high-level SSD storage.
Is SSD Faster than RAM?
RAM is significantly faster than SSD. RAM is designed to operate while a program is running, while SSDs store information as they receive it. However, upgrading your computer with SSD storage can free up its RAM to work faster.
Which Brand of SSDs is the Best Choice?
Below we outline the top brand choices for SSDs. Of course, if you’re wondering which brand is best for an SSD, your first consideration should be your budget – we’ve listed affordable and high-end options.
Samsung
Samsung is a top manufacturer. You’ll find Gen 3 and 4 PCIe storage devices from Samsung. You’ll pay extra for the brand name, but it’s worth it for heavy-use computing and gaming desktops.
Corsair
Corsair is another high-end choice. These storage devices are super-fast. Again, the price may be a concern, and older laptops may not support these storage devices.
Western Digital
Western Digital is a personal favourite choice for SSD storage. It offers numerous SATA devices at reasonable prices. These are perfect for average users who want a bit of extra power for their laptops.
Off-Brand/Generic Storage
You can also buy generic SATA and NVMe storage units that will give you that extra power you need at a great price. Just make sure your device is compatible before purchasing.
So Which Brand is Best for SSD?
If you’re looking to build a super-fast computer, Samsung is probably the top pick. For notebooks, you’ll want to prioritise the interface over the brand, as they can be somewhat picky. Western Digital is a top pick for everyday use.
Picking the Best SSD for You
So which type of SSD is best for a laptop? Your primary concern should be the interface – if it can’t connect to your computer, 10TBs of storage and ultra-fast writing speeds will do you no good.
Brand names tend to come with longer warranties and higher performance. However, you’ll pay extra for the privilege. We recommend top brands like Samsung if you want to run high-performance games or if you’re interested in streaming. Otherwise, generic devices can probably do everything you want.
Multiple TBs of storage sounds great, but do you need it? 500GB is more than most people need. Don’t pay over the odds if you don’t need to!
Basics: Laptop SSD Upgrades
If you’re concerned about which type of SSD is best for a laptop but can’t figure out your laptop’s interface, we’d recommend taking it to a professional. Meddling with the internal workings of your laptop without expert knowledge is a great way to accidentally damage parts and wind up with a non-functioning computer.
Modern laptops may not even unscrew, so you’ll need professional assistance. It’s not worth invalidating the warranty for DIY upgrades that may result in a costly visit to an expert repair shop.
A friendly, professional repair service will also be able to answer questions such as which type of SSD is fastest for a laptop concerning your model. Then you’ll be able to make a confident buying decision!
Wrap Up
Understand which type of interface will work for your laptop. Consider how much storage you need for what you’re doing. Choose a brand (or not) that matches your requirements. Don’t pay more than you need to. The best SSD for a laptop depends on the model and what your plans are. Shop the range of SSD units at PC International today and make your choice!
