External storage connects to an external port, such as a USB, IEEE 1394, SCSI, or eSATA. External flash drives, sometimes called thumb drives, that connect to a USB port are a type of removable storage. There are several factors to consider when purchasing external storage:

External storage offers portability and convenience when working with multiple computers. Choose the correct type of external storage for your customer’s needs. For example, if your customer needs to transfer a small amount of data, such as a single presentation, an external flash drive is a good choice. If your customer needs to back up or transfer large amounts of data, choose an external hard drive.