If I buy a prebuilt computer, do I need to install the same brand of storage that it already uses, or can I add a separate drive? I'm also wondering whether a USB flash drive is suitable for expanding storage, or if I need an internal SSD that goes inside the computer.
3 Answers
A USB flash drive can store files, but it’s slower and less suitable for installing games or running programs. For a proper upgrade, use an internal SSD that fits an available SATA or M.2 slot. The brand does not have to match the existing drive.
You don’t need to match the brand or capacity. You just need to buy a drive that matches the computer’s connection and physical size, such as a 2.5-inch SATA SSD or an M.2 NVMe SSD. Check the prebuilt’s specifications or open the case only after shutting the computer down and unplugging it.
Before buying anything, find out whether the computer supports SATA drives, M.2 NVMe drives, or both, and whether there’s an open slot or drive bay. Search the exact model’s manual or specifications so you get the correct form factor and connection.
So a regular flash drive wouldn’t be the same thing as an internal SSD?