The most widely recognized measure of how much storage space a laptop has is its hard drive capacity. A hard drive is the part of your computer that holds the data, which can include music, photos, and documents. Indeed, laptops with more storage capacity will be able to easily handle your work and personal files, which makes sense because those are the kinds of things you use daily.
Whether you’re into graphic design, video editing, or audio production, having enough storage on your laptop is critical. If you run into a situation where there isn’t enough room to save a project before it becomes corrupted, then your remaining options are to wipe your hard drive and start over or to simply delete the project altogether.
Types Of Storages
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information. It consists of one or more spinning disks, called platters that use magnetic storage to store data. Data is accessed from the HDD by moving a read/write head to the correct location on the disk platter. HDDs are found in desktop computers, laptops, and portable devices such as external hard drives and camcorders.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device that uses semiconductor memory chips to store data. SSDs are different from HDDs in that they have no moving parts and data is accessed much faster. SSDs are typically more expensive than HDDs, but they are also more durable and use less power. SSDs are found in desktop computers, laptops, and portable devices such as USB flash drives and digital cameras.
The two most common laptop storage capacities are 1TB and 2TB. A 1TB hard drive can store up to about 2,000 movies or 80,000 songs, while a 2TB hard drive can store up to about 4,000 movies or 160,000 songs.
5 Laptops with the most storage
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 2021 is a high-end laptop not just for the brand name or the price but for what it offers. The laptop is powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max, which are among the most powerful chipsets Apple manufactured.
The laptop has 64GBs of unified memory powered by a 32-core GPU. You can choose the one with 512GB or 1TB storage. The 8GB SSD is enough to manage all your programs, so the laptop keeps performing smoothly.
The MacBook Pro 14 also has an extensive battery life of up to 17 hours. So you will not have to worry about the battery running out in the middle of an important task.
The 14-inch Liquid Retina display provides super-sharp images with excellent dynamic range. So enjoy watching content in a display panel that has a great contrast ratio. You will not miss any details or worry about the color scheme being mismatched.
Combined with all these specifications, it is evident that the MacBook Pro 14 is a top-notch device. Its large storage, integrated graphics, and detailed display make the laptop suitable for handling any advanced tasks. Whether you are a gamer or an editor who needs to work on 4K videos, the MacBook Pro 14 can be your ideal companion.
The large storage and RAM ensure butter-smooth performance. You will encounter minimal throttling even under heavy usage.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Multiple ports (including a full-sized HDMI port)
- M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs ensures stellar performance
- Capable of handling graphics-heavy applications
- Smooth Liquid Retina display
Cons
- The keyboard can feel hot after extensive use
- USB-A port not included
2. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
Razer does not need to make many changes to its gaming laptop lineup. They already have a good name for manufacturing some of the best gaming laptops in the world. Razer keeps making small changes to their new models, but that is more than enough for the units to provide a stellar performance.
Razer laptops are not cheap, but they offer what you are paying for. The Razer Blade 15 has a robust build quality. The laptop has an aluminum chassis to add to its strong laptop frame. The matte black finish makes the Razer Blade 15 look sleek.
The backlit keyboards have a nice feel when you click them. You might notice some extra vents just below the keyboards. Razer Blade 15 has upgraded its ventilation so professional gamers will not have to worry about the laptop becoming too heated after an extensive match.
Inside the laptop, you will find an Intel Core i7-12800H processor providing up to 4.8GHz speed. It is capable of handling high-end and memory-consuming games. Along with the processor, you get 16GB of RAM. Do not worry about any of the applications lagging while you multitask.
The 1TB SSD can store all your files. If 1TB is not enough, you can upgrade it up to 2TB. The RAM can also be upgraded for up to 64GB. Although, the provided SSD and RAM should be enough for most users. There is no need for an upgrade unless you are a professional gamer or someone who needs top-of-the-line specs.
Razer Blade 15 offers a great mix of ports, including HDMI with Thunderbolt 4. With the different ports, you can use any external device or components with the laptop.
Pros
- Elegant Razer Blade design
- Excellent gaming performance
- Great mix of ports
- Durable build
Cons
- Not the best battery life
- Quite expensive
3. ASUS TUF F15 Gaming Laptop
The Asus TUF F15 may not be the most premium laptop you can get your hands on. But it is a commendable piece of tech at a reasonable price. The laptop comes packed with a 12th generation Corei7 CPU with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Graphics.
This TUF F15 from Asus is a powerful laptop that can handle large applications and games. The laptop’s minimal design in dark grey color can attract all types of users. The F15 is also quite thin and lightweight, considering the specs.
The downside of this otherwise excellent laptop is the 720p webcam. You can get a better webcam in tons of other laptops in a similar price range. But it is difficult to overlook the other features of the TUF F15. It should not be an issue if you have little need for a webcam.
The backlit keyboard of the Asus TUF F15 feels comfortable under the user’s fingers. The keyboards are not just aesthetically pleasing but very practical as well. You can type effortlessly even in very dim lighting.
You get a 32GB RAM pre-installed in the TUF F15. Along with the RAM, you have a 1TB SSD. This is a stellar memory and disk drive combination. The laptop can handle any multitasking without a hitch. Opening and closing large files will also be effortless, thanks to the 32GB RAM.
With the provided specifications of the F15, there is very little modification for anyone to consider. Even if you are a heavy gamer, these specs should serve you just fine.
Pros
- Good for gaming
- Lightweight
- Bright and sharp display
- Great pricing
Cons
- Webcam is average
- Audio quality is not the best
4. Dell XPS 9570- Best SSD Laptop
The design of the Dell XPS 15 9500 is a bit old school. With its simplistic look, the laptop can attract anyone. The Dell XPS 15 comes with a soft-touch keyboard so the users can type comfortably for a long time. The Arctic White woven glass palm rest is a cool new addition to the XPS 15.
The number of ports on the Dell XPS 15 is lower than some other laptops on this list. But it does have the more necessary ones for you to connect a crucial external device.
The laptop can feel quite hefty, and your hands will surely get tired from carrying it around for too long. But the upside of the added weight is the robust build of the XPS 15 9500. The 15.6-inch display panel has enough brightness for outdoor visibility. It is an FHD+ display panel so that the screen will offer plenty of details. The non-glaring screen will prevent your eyesight from straining much after long use.
The low resolution of the webcam is a downside of this laptop. But unless you have to attend a lot of video calls, the provided webcam should be fine. Or you should consider setting aside some money for getting a new webcam.
The Corei7 CPU of the XPS 15 is supported with 32GB RAM. This is a good combination for any casual to advanced user. You can play games, edit videos, tinker with graphics designing, and more. A PCIe SSD of 1TB is enough to store all your files. You can always expand or use a portable storage drive if it runs out.
Pros
- Strong chassis
- Great display panel
- High refresh rate
- Powerful speakers
- Long battery life
Cons
- Bulky
- Webcam has low resolution
5. Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel
The Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel comes with an aluminum chassis in frost white. The laptop has an elegant look with all the cool features. It may be a bit pricey, but you also get a premium-quality laptop.
The display is one of the strongest qualities of this laptop. The 15.6-inch screen is a touchscreen attached to double hinges. Thanks to the dual hinges, you can put the laptop screen in any position you want.
The display is anti-glare, so your eyes will not suffer much from long use. The glass screen has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection. Its textured surface is ideal for using a stylus.
Intel Core i7 is powering the ConceptD 7 Ezel with its octa-core processing. Along with that, you have 32GB DDR4 RAM to handle heavy multitasking. The 2TB SSD in the ConceptD 7 is more than enough to store files and applications.
With a combination of 4th generation AeroBlade 3D fans and cooling technology, the Acer ConceptD 7 gets a Vortex Flow. There are also three heat pipes to handle the cooling. The extra cooling technology keeps the chassis of this powerful device cool to the touch.
It is not a gaming device on paper. You can do some casual gaming with the ConceptD 7 Ezel. It is a great laptop for almost any sort of work. Whether you are doing office work, editing some photographs, or making Excel sheets, the ConceptD 7 is great for it all. The unique display makes this laptop a well-sought-out unit. Content creators are especially fond of this particular device. The ConceptD 7 might not be your first choice when looking for a gaming laptop, but it has a few innovative features to earn it some points.
Pros
- Excellent display panel
- Fast performance
- Exquisite design
- Wacom EMR digitizer
Cons
- Pricey
- Fan noise is noticeable
Choosing the Right Laptop for Your Needs
When it comes to choosing the right laptop for your needs, there are a few things you need to take into account. First, consider how much storage space you need. If you only plan on using your laptop for light tasks such as browsing the web and checking email, then a small hard drive or even an SSD may be sufficient. However, if you anticipate needing to store large files such as video footage or high-resolution images, then you’ll want to make sure that your chosen laptops has enough storage capacity to accommodate those needs.
Here is a basic guideline:
- If you only need a laptop for light tasks such as browsing the web, checking email, and occasional document creation:
128GB to 500GB SSD or 500GB HDD - If you often need to store large files such as video footage or high-resolution images:
1TB+ HDD or 256GB+ SSD - If you require a laptop with ample storage for multimedia projects or gaming:
2TB+ HDD or 512GB+ SSD
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on your needs. If you only plan to use your laptop for light tasks, such as browsing the web and checking email, then a small hard drive or even an SSD may be sufficient. However, if you often need to store large files, such as video footage or high-resolution images, then you’ll want to make sure that your chosen laptops have enough storage capacity to accommodate those needs. A good rule of thumb is to choose a laptop with at least 1TB of storage if you think you’ll need it frequently to store large files.
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are typically faster than hard disk drives (HDDs), but they also cost more money per gigabyte of storage. So, if speed is important to you and budget isn’t necessarily a concern, then go with an SSD; otherwise, opt for an HDD which gives you more bang for your buck in terms of capacity.
In some cases, yes. Many laptops come with empty drive bays that you can use to install a second hard drive or SSD. However, not all laptops are designed to be user-upgradable, so it’s best to check with the manufacturer before making any assumptions. Additionally, even if your laptop is upgradeable, bear in mind that doing the upgrade yourself voids most warranties—so unless you’re confident in your DIY skills, it may be best to leave upgrades to the professionals.
Currently, the largest available storage capacity in a laptop is 4TB. This is typically only found in high-end gaming laptops, however, as the price tag for such a machine can be quite steep. For most users, 1TB or 2TB of storage will likely suffice.
Wrapping It Up
After you figure out how much storage you want and need based on your workload, the final step is to look at the laptop brands most likely to provide the kind of storage space you’re looking for. At this point, it’s worth stating that hard drive space is just one of the things to consider about a laptop. There are other features that can make a significant impact on your laptop experience.