Understanding Data Transfer Speeds: Drives and Networks
Ever wondered why copying a file to an external hard drive feels slow while your SSD-based machine flies? The answer comes down to data transfer speeds – and understanding the numbers across storage and networking technology helps you make better hardware decisions. Bits vs. Bytes Before looking at the numbers, there’s one conversion to keep in mind: 1 byte = 8 bits Network speeds are almost always quoted in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) Storage speeds are typically quoted in megabytes per second (MB/s) or gigabytes per second (GB/s) So a 1 Gbps network connection has a maximum throughput of 125 MB/s (1,000 / 8 = 125). This distinction matters when comparing specs across different product categories. ...