The Razer Blade is the perfect gaming laptop, actually considered one of the best gaming laptops. Which I am the proud owner of the Razer Blade 15. As I use my gaming laptop for work and gaming the storage space the laptop has is vital. So, I asked myself, can I use an external hard drive with Razer laptop, in case I ran out of storage space.
Yes, you can connect an external hard drive to a Razer laptop. Razer laptops have Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, and USB 3.2 ports that allow you to connect an external SSD drive. For the fastest data transfer speeds, connect the external drive to the Thunderbolt 4 port on your Razer laptop.
In this post, I dive into who should use an external hard drive. How to connect an external storage device to a Razer laptop and discuss the current best external hard drives.
Why Use an External Hard Drive with a Razer Laptop?
You may want to use an external hard drive if you have a lot of data and the storage space left on the internal storage drive of your Razer Blade laptop. For example, if you have a lot of music, videos, or game files that you do not use or need right now. Instead of deleting these files, you can transfer the data onto an external hard drive to save for later.
If you are a gamer, you will know that the latest video games are also becoming increasingly bigger. Take Call of Duty Warzone for instance, this computer game needs 150GB of free storage to accommodate all the game files. With a few of these games stored on your Razer laptop, you will soon run out of free storage space.
An external storge solution is a good option if you want to back up your computer’s data. So, if something happens to the internal hard drive. Such as, the data becomes corrupted. You still have access to your important files, if stored on an external storage device.
So Why Do I Use an External Hard Drive?
The Razer gaming laptop, I purchased came with a 1TB of NVMe SSD installed. There is also two SSD slots to further increase the hard drive capacity. In total, with my Razer laptop, I can add up to 4TB of extra SSD storage, which is almost equal to most desktop computers.
Di you know? A Razer Blade laptop SSD storage upgrade is one of the best things you can do to improve the systems overall responsiveness. But because I also use my Razer Blade laptop for work an external hard drive brings great benefits such as portability.
With an external hard drive in hand, I’m able to carry my data around with me wherever I go. I also have games stored on external storage, the computer games that I do not play as often, so I transfer them over to the drive for safe keeping.
Benefits of Using an External Hard Drive with a Razer Laptop
An external hard drive can be a great addition to your gaming laptop. Here are some benefits of using an external hard drive with a gaming laptop:
- Increased storage capacity: An external hard drive can provide additional storage space for your gaming laptop. Useful if your Razer laptop has limited storage space or if you want to keep your games separate from other files on your computer.
- Portability: External hard drives are portable and can be easily moved from one computer to another. Making it easy to take your games with you wherever you go.
- Improved performance: An external hard drive can help improve the performance of your gaming laptop. By storing games on an external storage device, you can free up space on your Razer laptop’s internal hard drive, which can help improve performance.
- Easy backup: External hard drives can be used to back up your files, including your game saves. Protect your data in case your laptop is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Cost-effective: External storage drives are generally less expensive than upgrading your Razer laptop’s internal hard drive. A cost-effective way to increase storage space.
How to Use an External Hard Drive with a Razer Laptop?
When it comes to connecting external storage drives to your Razer gaming laptop, you’re in luck! All the latest Razer laptops are equipped with a variety of physical ports that make it easy to connect and use external storage. Whether you need to expand your laptops storage capacity or transfer data quickly, the Razer Blade is the perfect gaming laptop.
One feature of Razer laptops is the Thunderbolt 4 ports. They offer the fastest data transfer speeds, allowing you to quickly move files between devices. With Thunderbolt 4, you can connect external SSDs to a Razer laptop and enjoy fast data transfers.
In addition to Thunderbolt 4, Razer laptops also come with USB Type-C and USB 3.2 Type-A ports. These ports provide versatile connectivity options for your external hard drives. You can use any one of these ports to connect your external storage device and start transferring data.
Connect an External Hard Drive Directly Into a Port
- Locate the appropriate port on your Razer laptop. Depending on the model, you may have Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-C, or USB 3.2 Type-A ports.
- Connect one end of the cable that came with your external hard drive to the port
- Connect the other end of the cable to your external hard drive.
- Once the connected, your Razer laptop should recognize the external hard drive.
- Open the Windows file explorer on your Razer laptop and navigate to the external hard drive to access its contents.
- You can now transfer files to and from the external hard drive just like you would with any other external storage device.
Using external hard drives with a Razer laptop is a convenient way to expand your storage. Whether you’re a gamer who needs extra space for their game library or a content creator working with large media files, external hard drives offer a reliable solution. If you find the external hard drive is not formatted correctly. See this guide here to learn more.
Use a Laptop Docking Station to Connect a Hard Drive
Another way to connect an external hard drive to a Razer laptop, is by considering investing in a laptop docking station. Check out the best docking station for the best Razer Blade 15, these docks are also suitable for every other Razer Blade model too.
Docking stations are great if you do not have much storage space, or short on USB ports. A laptop dock will keep your device cables neat and desk area clutter free. A docking station will expand on the ports you have, great if you want to connect multiple monitors.
However, laptop docking stations are an expensive option if all you want is extra space to store your files or games. Docking stations can be a convenient option if short on ports.
With a docking station, you only need to connect one cable to your Razer laptop instead of all your device cables like mouse, keyboard, gaming controller or monitors. Which can save you time if you often take your gaming laptop to work because you only have to unplug one cable.
Use the Razer Core X To Add More Storage Space
Another option to consider, is Razer’s Core X graphics card enclosure, which can be used to connect an external hard drive to a Razer gaming laptop. The Razer Core X device will act as a middleman between your gaming laptop and an external hard drive.
However, like a docking station, the Razer Core X would be a pricey solution for connecting an external hard drive to a Razer Blade laptop. If you di not know, the Razer Core device is prominently used to add additional graphics capabilities to a gaming notebook.
Which Hard Drives Are Compatible with Razer Laptops?
External hard drives can be used with Razer laptops without any compatibility issues. However, it is important to format the hard drive with Windows. The choice of external hard drive depends on factors such as the speed at which you want to access your data, the amount of storage you require, and the type of connection you prefer.
The advantage of using an external hard drive with a Razer Blade laptop is that these gaming laptops offer a wide range of physical ports, ensuring that you have numerous options when it comes to selecting an external hard drive.
What to Consider When Choosing an External Hard Drive?
When considering which external hard drive to use to connect with your Razer laptop. First, you will want to ensure the external storage device is compatible with the Windows operating system. You’ll also want to find a storage device that is lightweight. Thus, portable.
Another factor is determining how much storage capacity you need. You must also know that an external HDD would cost less money than an external solid state drive, and you often get more storage capacity for your money if you choose an HDD.
The downside to choosing an external hard disk drive. Over a solid-state drive is the slower data transfer speeds. Hard disk drives are also more prone to hard-drive failure and damage because they have moving parts. Unlike SSDs that do not have any moving parts.
External SSDs Advantages Over External HDDs
- SSDs offer much faster data transfer speeds – up to 5x faster than HDDs
- SSDs are more reliable – external SSDs have a lower failure rate than HDDs
- SSDs are smaller and lighter – external SSDs are often much smaller and lighter than HDDs, making them easier to slip into your pocket
- SSDs consume less power – external SSDs consume significantly less power than HDDs, which can be important when you’re using a Razer laptop on battery power alone.
Overall, if you’re looking for an external storage option that offers superior performance and reliability. Then an external SSD device is the way to go. But, if you want to save some money, go with an external HDD. Just ensure to take extra care of the device.
SSD or HDD?
External storage devices compatible with Razer laptops come in two different types. Hard disk drives and Solid-State Drives. The differences between the two are night and day. If you want to read more about the differences read this post here by akitio.com.
Hard Disk drives are typically less expensive and much larger. HDDs also can offer more storage space for your money. SSDs, on the other hand, are faster than HDDs and have no moving parts. Which makes external SSDs more durable and reliable but often more expensive.
Data Transfer speeds
In general, when it comes to transferring data from one device to another. (Razer external hard drive) SSDs are much faster at processing and transferring the data than HDDs. Both options are available with USB, USB C or USB Type-A connectors. So, depending what cable the hard drive has will determine the data transfer speeds.
Here are some comparisons showing the massive difference in drive speed between HDDs and SSDs using the USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface.
Security Features
One of the most common reasons to buy an external hard drive is to take the data stored on Razer gaming laptop with you where every you go, like to work, or to school. These days it is more necessary than ever to keep your data secure.
Choose an external storage device with robust hardware encryption and password protection. Most external Hard disk drives or external SSDs will have good security features. To help keep your data safe if you happen to lose your external storage device.
When it comes to external storage, I always recommend sticking with the well-known brands. Western Digital, Samsung and SanDisk are well-respected brands in the storage industry. With the most reliable and best external storage drives, where security is concerned.
Portability
If you only want an external hard drive to keep at home. Then you will not have to worry as much about the weight or size of the device. Yet, if you are someone who often travels with their data, portability is vital. So, choose an external drive that you can slip into your bag.
In general, external solid-state drives are much smaller and lighter than HDDs. Mainly because SSDs have fewer parts. However, you will find that some HDDs are as small as external SSDs. Again, which one you choose will come down to your budget.
For Gamers
As a gamer myself. I understand how quickly you can accumulate a large library of video games. I have games like Call of Duty Warzone, FIFA 23, GTA 5 stored on my Razer laptop. But the games I don’t play that much, I transfer them onto an external storage device.
So, if you have a lot of games stored on your Razer notebook, and your laptops is running short of internal space. Instead of deleting the games store them on ab external hard drive or SSD. Like I said, external SSDs offer faster data transfer speeds. If you opt for a cheaper HDD, it will take longer to load the game back onto your laptop.
Best External Drives for Razer Laptops
Some of the best external drives that can be used with Razer laptops include Western Digital game drive, SandDisk portable and one of the fastest SSDs the Samsung T7 are all compatible with Windows computers, lightweight, and offer a large storage capacity.
That said, there are many viable storage options you can buy to improve your storage capacity, and the best SSD for Razer blade 15 laptops will also depend on you budget.
Conclusion
You’ll now know you can use an external hard drive with your Razer laptop. You don’t necessarily need the best external hard drive if all you want to do is store games, and files you don’t want to lose. However, the more money you invest, the faster the load time and data transfer speeds.
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for an external hard drive for gaming laptop or work related reasons. First, remember that SSDs are smaller, lighter and far more reliable. SSDs are also more expensive compared to traditional HDDs.
If you’re looking for the most storage space for your money, HDDs will give you more bang for your buck. But ultimately, the decision is up to you and what suits your needs best. There are also USB flash drives that can be useful for transferring smaller files, like photos, and word documents.
Have you found one? Let me know how it works out in the comments below. Please consider signing up to my newsletter for more great laptop tips.
