Secondary Storage

Secondary Storage

1. Fixed

   • Magnetic Hard Disk
     • Cheap
     • Large Capacity
     • Very complex with moving parts
     • Easily damaged
     • Noisy
     • Power-hungry
     • Used as main secondary storage in computers.
   • Solid State Drive (SSD)
     • Newest Technology
     • Fast
     • Durable
     • No moving parts
     • Silent
     • Low power usage
     • Expensive
     • Used as main secondary storage in a computer
   • Tape Drive
     • Used for backups.
     • Not random access
     • Files can’t be run from it, but they can be backed up and restored.
     • VERY slow to access.

2. Portable

   • USB sticks
     • Uses similar technology to SSD
     • Very durable
     • Small and light
     • Not as reliable as fixed devices (uses cheaper components)
     • Used to transfer files between computers
   • Memory Card
     • Same technology as USB stick, but without the connectors
     • Very small and flat
     • Used in portable devices like cameras to store photos and videos
   • Optical Disk (CD, DVD, BluRay)
     • Portable
     • Very cheap
     • Slow
     • Bulky (compared to Solid State)
     • Can be scratched and damaged
     • Used for distributing software (such as console games)