Many people can't live without their personal computer. Like an extra room in their home, they fill it to the brim with assorted digital knickknacks such as videos, music, photos and software designed to make like easier. To help store it all, many need the help of an external hard drive.

An external hard drive is the same type of hardware as what is installed on a regular desktop computer. It is packaged in its own metal case and comes with a USB cable for ease of portability between computers. Most are specifically formatted so that they can be used with any operating system.

There are many uses for this type of hardware. A lot of computers users employ them to make back up copies of their systems. With the constant threat of computer viruses and software or hardware malfunctions, it is simply smart to have a copy of your files in a safe place that is easily accessible should you have to reformat or replace your computer.

Audiophiles know that music files take up a lot of disk space. Therefore, many of them use external drives as sort of auxiliary jukeboxes where they store all of their music files. This helps to free up space on their regular drive which they can use for other things.

Using an external drive is a good way to transfer files from one place to another. Instead of lugging around a laptop between work and home, simply transfer the files to the drive and then port it from computer to computer. You'll save time and wear and tear on your computer.

Create a roaming movie theater for long trips. Most hard drives on the market can easily hold several hours worth of DVDs. Simply copy the movies onto the drive and pack in your laptop case with your portable computer.

Gamers can enjoy advancing in their favorite game without being locked into their desktop computer. Simply install your games onto an external drive and then plug in to any compatible computer whenever you feel like leveling up you game characters.

A hard drive is a multipurpose tool that can be used for a myriad of things. You are only limited in what you can do with it by your creativity and imagination.