Why Paying for Extra Storage is Worth It - Despite the Cost

The Value of Sufficient Storage

Many users discover the importance of adequate storage capacity through experience. While a $100 storage upgrade might seem costly, it frequently proves to be a worthwhile investment.

Entry-level smartphones, tablets, and laptops are frequently equipped with insufficient storage space.

Manufacturer Strategies

Device manufacturers often prioritize presenting a low initial price point for their products. Offering models with limited storage is a common tactic to attract a wider customer base.

This strategy aims to initially lower the barrier to purchase.

Long-Term Benefits of Upgrading

It is generally more advantageous to invest in increased storage at the time of purchase. This proactive approach avoids the potential difficulties and constant management required when operating with limited space.

Dealing with storage limitations throughout the lifespan of a device can be a significant source of frustration.

Upgrading storage upfront can save time and improve the overall user experience.

The Common Practice of Limited Storage

A significant number of manufacturers employ this practice to varying degrees. The transition to faster and more compact solid-state drives has made this a growing concern, even impacting laptops.

Apple Devices and Storage Constraints

Apple’s 16 GB iPhones and iPads are notable examples of this. In reality, these devices typically provide users with around 12 GB of usable storage. Large applications, particularly games, can easily consume 1 GB or more.

Considering downloaded content, music, high-resolution photos, and videos, available space diminishes rapidly. For instance, the iOS 8 update from Apple demanded 5 GB of free space, leaving only 8 GB accessible for personal use, necessitating updates through iTunes or careful storage management.

The 8 GB iPhone 5c faces even tighter restrictions.

Microsoft Surface Pro Storage Limitations

Microsoft’s 64 GB Surface Pro offers only 37 GB of available space. While this may initially seem sufficient, the combined size of personal files, applications, cache data, and other system components quickly reduces usable capacity.

This limited space can prevent the installation of certain software. PC games now frequently exceed 37 GB in size.

The Impact on Other Devices

Similar limitations apply to other products. Laptops equipped with 16 GB of eMMC storage are often attractively priced, but this reduced storage capacity restricts the applications that can be installed.

Inexpensive Android phones with only a few gigabytes of storage may function adequately as basic feature phones, but their capabilities are severely limited for more demanding use.

Nintendo Wii U Storage Considerations

The same principle applies to devices where lower-priced models feature minimal storage. Nintendo’s 8 GB Wii U is a case in point. The 32 GB Wii U Deluxe model represents a more sensible option.

Even without downloading digital games, the additional space provides headroom for game patches and saved game data.

The Most Annoying Aspect: Excessive Control

The most irritating element is the constant need for meticulous management. While the base storage capacity of many devices is often tolerable, it can quickly become restrictive. Users with minimal needs, who avoid software installations and file downloads, might find it sufficient.

However, most individuals will find themselves frequently managing storage space. On iPhones or iPads with only 16 GB of storage, this translates to routinely deleting games and applications to create room. Furthermore, transferring photos off the device becomes a necessity to prevent them from consuming excessive space.

Storing a comprehensive music library or downloading videos for offline viewing may also prove impossible. When a new iOS version is released, connecting to a computer and updating through iTunes might be required.

Similar constraints apply to Android phones and tablets; regular monitoring of installed applications and copied files is essential. Maintaining a minimal set of apps and files, and consistently freeing up space, becomes a recurring task.

Managing disk space on a Windows PC presents even greater complexity. Beyond monitoring downloads and installations, periodic use of software like CCleaner to eliminate cache files is often necessary. Utilizing the Disk Cleanup wizard to reduce the size of Windows Update files is also advisable.

Vigilance regarding other directories on the computer is crucial to identify and remove unnecessary files left by poorly designed programs. For PC gamers, having only one large game installed at a time may be the only viable option. A Mac with limited storage will experience comparable limitations.

Related: 8 Ways to Free Up Disk Space on Windows

The Irreversible Storage Decision

A significant drawback is the inability to increase storage capacity at a later date. While an additional $100 for expanded storage might initially appear expensive, its value is considerable. Investing in a storage upgrade – for example, increasing an iPhone or iPad from 16 GB to 64 GB – provides ample space for your needs and eliminates the necessity for constant file management.

Opting for a laptop with 128 GB of storage instead of 64 GB allows for future growth. In fact, even 128 GB may prove insufficient for some users, making 256 GB or higher a worthwhile consideration. Over time, you will likely find yourself wishing you had allocated the funds for a larger storage capacity upfront, resulting in greater convenience and reduced complications.

Related: How to Quickly and Cheaply Upgrade a Laptop or Tablet's Storage

Some devices offer the option to expand storage via SD cards, which can be a beneficial solution. However, this method has limitations, particularly as Apple’s iPhones and iPads do not support SD card expansion. Furthermore, many current Android devices, including Samsung’s Galaxy S6 series, also lack this feature, meaning reliance on SD card expansion isn’t always possible.

Even when SD card expansion is available, it’s primarily useful for file storage. Due to slower speeds compared to internal storage, running applications directly from an SD card is not ideal. This also necessitates careful organization of applications, files, and data.