A 3.5-inch hard drive is a type of data storage device commonly used in desktop computers and servers. It measures 3.5 inches in width and is designed to hold large amounts of data, typically ranging from hundreds of gigabytes to several terabytes. These drives use magnetic disks to read and write information, making them reliable for long-term storage. These hard drives are often installed in a dedicated drive bay within a computer case. They connect to the motherboard via SATA or SAS interfaces, allowing for fast data transfer rates. Despite the rise of solid-state drives (SSDs), 3.5-inch hard drives remain popular due to their cost-effectiveness and high storage capacity.