A solid-state drive (SSD) doesn't have a spinning disk like its HDD counterpart, which makes it faster, lighter, and more reliable. SSDs are essentially collections of memory microchips that read and write data over and over again, to store all your files. Weighing almost nothing, with no moving parts, and with seemingly no end to how small these drives can get, SSDs are the perfect disk drive for laptops.
A SSD can access any part of its memory instantly, since there are no moving parts. This means fast boot-up times (sometimes in a matter of seconds!) and quick data transfer speeds, giving the SSD an edge on speed to which no HDD can compare.
With no moving parts and less chance of something going wrong, the SSD is also the winner when it comes to storing data over long periods of time. For long-term data storage, SSDs are the best bet for safe-keeping of important documents, family photos, and other files you'd like to access later down the road.