The HDD has an arm with several 'heads' (transducers) that read and write data on the disk. It has spinning disks inside where data is stored magnetically. What Is an HDD?Īn HDD is a data storage device that lives inside the computer. Here's a quick guide on the best use for each and how to compare. Solid state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs) are the two main storage options to consider. The type of storage your computer uses matters for performance, including power usage and reliability. Choosing the right storage isn’t just about comparing capacity and cost.