It doesn’t matter which brand of laptop you’re using; you’ll likely require adding more storage if you do resource-consuming tasks. If you have an HP laptop and are wondering can I buy more storage for my HP laptop, then stop thinking now. You can buy more storage for your HP laptop in a few different ways. The easiest approach is to buy an external hard drive. Keep on reading to learn about different options to upgrade your laptop storage.
Why You Need to Add More Storage to Computer
Deciding whether to add more storage or simply buy a new laptop is a big decision. Memory and speed are two significant factors that greatly influence your laptop’s performance. Purchasing external storage or upgrading an internal one can save a lot of money.
If you see a startup disk full error, it’s due to low storage space. Insufficient space takes a toll on your hard drive and the entire system’s functioning, so adding more storage is a viable solution to the problem.
Ways to Upgrade HP Laptop Storage
Let’s go over the best possible ways you can opt to meet the need for extra space in your HP laptop.
1. Buy External Hard Drive
This is the best option if you require more extra storage to store large files and keep them fully organized. You can back up all your crucial files. To use an external hard drive, you require connecting an external hard drive to your laptop and finding it. After establishing the connection, you can start accessing the files. But, it will be relatively expensive because you would have to buy an external device.
2. Upgrade Internal Hard Drive
Compared to the previous one, this method is a bit expensive and more beneficial. It will help you in gaining a lot of space. A hard drive is a high-capacity storage device where data can be accessed anytime. You would not be able to extend the current hard drive if your laptop features space just for one. In that situation, you can consider changing it to a new drive with enhanced space.
3. Subscribe to Cloud Service
Another way is to use a cloud storage service, including Google Drive or Dropbox. Using this method, you can keep your files securely saved on the web and access them anytime, ensuring internet connectivity. You can remove unwanted data from the laptop to reduce space, as you’ll have its backup on the cloud. It is more affordable than other methods. You can consider several free cloud storage services based on your requirement.
4. Connect External Storage
Just deleting unnecessary files and apps can’t help free up space. If you want extra space for saving personal and confidential details, then use external storage. It includes SD cards, external USB storage, flash drives, and more. A USB hard drive or pen drive offers an excellent portable option for quickly copying data and transferring. The price depends on how much storage space you require.
5. Install an SSD
SSD (solid-state drives) are faster than HDDs in terms of reading and write speed. Moreover, it uses a more reduced physical space and is highly resistant to shocks than HDD. Also, it supports input-output operations per second (IOPS). In terms of appearance, they mostly appear similar to a RAM chip. Since SSDs are 2.5 inches in size, they occupy the same slot size. It is less vulnerable to physical damage because it has no moving parts.
6. Use Disk Cleanup Program
Another way to get more storage is to get rid of unwanted files. For this, you can use a disk cleanup program. Decide which data you need and which you no longer require. This program finds and deletes the files you don’t want to get space for new files. But, before executing this process, you have to grant permission. Make sure you don’t remove the files essential for effectively running the system.
What’s the Cost to Get More Storage?
So, if you are still questioning yourself can I buy more storage for my HP laptop, you must be wondering about the cost. Well, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this, as it varies based on multiple factors. It depends on the storage you require, your laptop model, and which method you are opting for adding storage. Upgrading storage generally costs between $50 and $200 or more.
The Conclusion
If your laptop is working too slowly, it could be due to low space. Hence, check how much space you have consumed and how much has been left. Increasing the RAM can reduce some of the CPU pressure. Buying or upgrading HP laptop storage is not difficult unless you carefully follow the instructions mentioned in the manual.