SSDs (Solid State Drives) use flash memory and have no moving parts, offering faster speeds, lower power consumption, and better durability. HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) use spinning disks and are generally cheaper per GB but slower and more susceptible to physical damage.

It depends on your usage. For basic computing: 256GB-512GB SSD. For gaming: 1TB+ SSD. For content creation: 2TB+ with combination of SSD for OS and HDD for storage. For enterprise: Multiple TBs depending on data requirements.

NVMe SSDs offer significantly faster data transfer speeds (up to 7,000+ MB/s) compared to SATA SSDs (around 550 MB/s). They provide better performance for gaming, video editing, and professional applications requiring high-speed data access.

Internal storage offers better performance and is ideal for your primary OS and frequently used applications. External storage is perfect for backups, additional storage, and portability between devices.

Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: 3 copies of important data, on 2 different storage media, with 1 copy stored offsite. For critical data, daily backups are recommended. For personal use, weekly backups are usually sufficient.

SSDs have limited write cycles but typically last 5-10 years with normal use. HDDs can last 3-5 years but are more susceptible to physical damage. Factors include usage intensity, temperature, power cycles, and manufacturing quality.

While not mandatory, a fast SSD (preferably NVMe) significantly reduces game loading times and improves overall gaming experience. Many gamers use a combination: fast SSD for OS and current games, larger HDD for game library storage.

Storage prices vary widely. Budget SSDs start around $50-80 for 500GB, while high-end NVMe drives can cost $200+ for 1TB. Consider your performance needs, capacity requirements, and budget. Investing in quality storage pays off in reliability and performance.