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HDD - 2.5 Inch vs 3.5 Inch

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Hard disk drives generally come into two different form factors:

  • 2.5-inch
  • 3.5-inch

2.5 vs 3.5

2.5

3.5

Size
  • ~3 inches wide
  • ~4 inches wide

Application
  • used in laptops
  • used in desktops and servers

Power
  • read and write power rating is around half of the 3.5
  • around twice more than 2.5

Cache Size
  • less
  • more

RPM
  • 5400 RPM
  • 7200 RPM
  • 5400 RPM
  • 7200 RPM

Storage Capacity
  • max capacity around half of 3.5 inch
  • max capacity around twice more than 2.5 inch

Data Transfer Speed
  • less than 3.5 inch
  • greater than 2.5 inch (bc it holds more sectors per track)

Price
  • more expensive
  • less expensive

Shock Resistance
  • more shock resistant
  • less shock resistant

Adapters
  • can be used on a 3.5 chassis via hard drive adapter
  • cannot be used on a 2.5 chassis