>>>Hi,
>>>
>>>I use an external USB hard drive as a way to backup my PC (in addition to the cloud backup). Currently, I have a WD My Book external drive of about 600 GB. It still works but a little slow. Plus, I would like a newer (quality wise) and larger size. I am looking at 4 TB USB 3.0 drives (on Amazon). The choices are Toshiba, Seagate, WD. All have tons of reviews.
>>>But they all are not SSD. The only SSD I find is Samsung, twice as much in price, and half capacity (2 TB).
>>>Do you recommend to spend more money and buy a 2 TB SSD or go for a larger conventional drive?
>>>
>>>TIA
>>
>>For specified "only backup", do not go to SSD. If you previously were coping with 600 GB, 2 TB might be ok for next 3-5 years. For added security you might go for 2 alternating 2 TB HDs, but at that low level casing and electronics will hitch the price. So go with 4 TB, every 3rd backup use 600GB and replace with 2nd new HD that if missing speed irks you again.
>>
>>If you boot from external disk, SSD makes sense again...
>
>I ordered a 4 TB drive. I will probably copy the existing 600 GB to it, just in case. Then 3+ TB should last me for a couple of years (small investment for a little extra security of data).
>Thank you.
>P.S. I already have two other external drives used for the backups. One I place in the bank safety deposit box, once every month. Another one is in the house but away from the computer.
>I know I am obsessed with the backups :)

Good for you. I was saved by paranoia and backups 25 years ago.

Old WD 3.5 Elements (silver colour casing, rubber encased corners) were fantastic.
I have some of those still in seldom use. 2 new WD Elements as well, but I dislike and -trust their "upright standing" design and ventilation concept. Prefer "flat" laying disks (here a few "Intenso" USB3).

my 0.02€
thomas