| A hybrid hard drive (HHD) is a standard hard drive | | | | That requires the discs to get up to speed and the |
| fitted with a large buffer or memory cache that does | | | | search software to execute its function, a process |
| not require a spinning disk to record data. This "non | | | | that is somewhat slower than with a computer |
| volatile" form of flash memory is included in the HHD in | | | | equipped with a standard drive. |
| increments of up to one gigabyte, resulting in a hard | | | | Proponents also note that a motionless hard drive is a |
| drive that basically functions to back up the memory | | | | silent hard drive, thus reducing the noise output of the |
| cache. | | | | computer. Wear and tear on the hard drive is also |
| The "platters," or discs in a hybrid hard drive are thus | | | | greatly reduced by this engineering concept, resulting in |
| required to crank up and spin only when the buffer | | | | longer life for the hard drive - and, in all likelihood, its |
| memory is filled or when the computer operator is | | | | computer. One of the potential downsides for HHDs, |
| moving extremely large files around. The result is that | | | | however, is the fact that most of the wear on a hard |
| for normal computer operators, the hard drive is | | | | drive and the majority of its power consumption |
| actually spinning a fraction of the time that the | | | | occurs during "spin up." That means the constant |
| computer is in operation, compared with one hundred | | | | starting and stopping could create power usage and |
| percent of the time for a standard hard drive. | | | | wear that is not currently part of a standard |
| The advantages of this format are several. Because | | | | computer's function. |
| the HHD is actually turning only ten percent of the time | | | | There is also the possibility of data loss in the event |
| or less, the computer consumes far less power and | | | | that the computer crashes. A flash memory device |
| generates far less heat. These features are | | | | loses all data when it goes down. A hard drive, on the |
| particularly valuable in a laptop that is operating on | | | | other hand, can often be coaxed to produce "lost" |
| battery power. It is also true that laptops have been | | | | data from a crash - a process that usually requires an |
| somewhat limited in the video horsepower they can | | | | expert, but that is a possibility nonetheless. |
| handle due to heat generation. Any reduction in heat | | | | Samsung and Microsoft have collaborated on a hybrid |
| for a laptop is going to allow for the expansion of | | | | due for introduction in 2007. While Samsung is the |
| available features. | | | | world leader in the production of flash memory |
| When the computer operator is working only off the | | | | devices, it is unclear what role Microsoft is playing in |
| buffer memory, the result is also increased speed. The | | | | the product rollout - other than nosing its way into yet |
| reverse is true, however, when it is necessary to | | | | another market segment. |
| search and retrieve files stored on the hard drive itself. | | | | |