Storage Types

Storage Types

1. Hard drive

   • stores the operating system software, application software and the user's documents and data files.
   • comes in a variety of sizes like 300GB and 1TB
   • quite cheap
   • stores and retrieves data quickly
   • they can fail and can be damaged leading to lost or corrupt data
   • not portable due to size, weight and internal location

2. Optical storage devices

   • can read and be written to by a laser
   • faster that a floppy disk but slower than hard drive
   • comes in different forms like DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW
   • used to store high definition videos and video games
   • lightweight and easy to carry around
   • cheap to produce
   • widespread compatibility
   • easily scratched and damaged
   • limited storage capacity

3. Magnetic Tape

   • external device for large files
   • used for offline, archival data storage
   • they can store over 800MB
   • they are cheap and give large capacity storage
   • sturdy and durable for long-term use
   • slow at reading and writing data
   • requires a tape streamer to read and write data

4. Memory sticks and card

   • they are used for storing and transferring files
   • they are connected to computers and devices via USB
   • small light and easy to carry around
   • large storage capacity for their size
   • very easy to break
   • data can be lost if you do not properly remove the device from the computer after saving
   • used for digital cameras and MP3 players