A:Answer SSD stands for solid state drive, (No moving parts) - think if a larger 'Thumb' drive. and External Drive can be an SSD type (no moving parts) or 'disk type' (older technology where the data is stored on disks that spin around) . You can get a lot more capacity with older Disk types. I like SSD type drives, much quieter and I can get the storage I need at reasonable costs. Also, they travel well (because they don't have any moving parts, less opportunity for something internal to move or damage the drive.