HDD storage covers internal and external hard drives, server and enterprise drives, NAS and surveillance models, tape drives and cartridges, and related accessories. It suits home users replacing a laptop or desktop drive as well as IT teams maintaining servers and backup systems. Leading brands in our range include HPE, Western Digital, Seagate, Dell and Toshiba.
How to choose a hard drive
Form factor and interface. Desktop PCs normally take 3.5" drives, while laptops use 2.5" drives, and both sizes are in our range. Servers use either size, usually connected by SATA or SAS, so check which interface your controller and backplane support before ordering.
Intended workload. A desktop drive is designed for a few hours of use a day. NAS drives are built to run around the clock alongside other drives, surveillance drives are tuned for constant writing from cameras, and enterprise drives are rated for heavy server loads. Putting a drive into the wrong job tends to shorten its life.
Capacity and speed. Choose a capacity that covers your current data with room to grow, especially for backups and media libraries. Drives spinning at 7200 rpm generally respond faster than 5400 rpm models, but they usually run warmer and louder, which matters in a quiet home NAS.
Recording technology. Drives using CMR (conventional magnetic recording) write consistently, while SMR (shingled magnetic recording) drives can slow down during long writes or RAID rebuilds. If you are building a RAID array or a NAS, check the datasheet for the recording method.
Server compatibility. Drives for HPE, Dell, Lenovo and IBM servers are often supplied in the correct hot-swap caddy and may carry vendor firmware. Match the manufacturer part number to your server model rather than relying on capacity and size alone.
Hard drive brands we carry
- HPE (HP Enterprise): the largest group in this category, with drives and caddies made for ProLiant and other HPE servers.
- Western Digital: known for its colour-coded ranges, including WD Red for NAS and WD Purple for surveillance.
- Seagate: offers Barracuda for desktops, IronWolf for NAS and Exos for data centres.
- Dell: supplies drives validated for PowerEdge servers and Dell workstations.
- Toshiba: makes internal drives for desktops, laptops and NAS, plus portable Canvio external drives.
- Lenovo: sells server drives matched to ThinkSystem and ThinkServer hardware.
- IBM: has a long enterprise storage heritage, including server drives and tape media.
- HP: covers drives for HP desktops, laptops and workstations.
- LaCie: specialises in external drives, including rugged portable models for photographers and video editors, and is owned by Seagate.
- Delock: known for cables, adapters and enclosures that help connect and mount drives.
Also in our range: unbranded drives and accessories.
Beyond the main drive types, you will find subcategories for server and enterprise drives, external drives, desktop 3.5" and laptop 2.5" drives, NAS and surveillance drives, tape drives and cartridges, a small selection of SSDs, and HDD extras such as caddies and mounting parts.
Hard drive FAQ
What is the difference between an HDD and an SSD?
An HDD stores data on spinning magnetic platters, while an SSD uses flash memory with no moving parts. SSDs load programs and files much faster, but HDDs are still widely used for bulk storage such as backups, archives and media collections.
Can I use a desktop hard drive in a NAS?
It often works, but it is not recommended. Desktop drives are not designed for continuous operation or for the vibration of several drives in one enclosure, so a drive sold for NAS use is the safer choice.
Which hard drive is best for a NAS?
Choose a drive sold specifically for NAS use, rated for 24/7 operation and for the number of bays in your unit. Check whether it uses CMR recording, and buy a capacity that leaves room for growth.
Do I need a 2.5" or a 3.5" hard drive?
It depends on the bay. Laptops use 2.5" drives and desktop PCs normally use 3.5" drives. A 2.5" drive can be fitted in a 3.5" bay with a mounting bracket, but a 3.5" drive will not fit a 2.5" bay.
