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Magnetic tape drives
Very thin strip of plastic coated in a magnetic layer used for storing data as magnetized or demagnetized areas.
Advantages of magnetic tape
Less expensive than HDD, huge data storage capacity, fast data transfer rate.
Disadvantages of magnetic tape
Very slow data access times, use serial access, requires use of a master tape.
Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
Common method for storing data on a computer using magnetic surfaces on multiple platters.
How HDD works
Actuators move read/write heads, platters rotate at high speeds, data is stored in concentric tracks.
Uses of fixed hard disk drives
Store operating systems software and working data/files, used in real-time systems and file servers.
Advantages of fixed hard disk drives
Fast data transfer rate and access times, large memory capacities.
Disadvantages of fixed hard disk drives
Easily damaged, many moving parts affect reliability, noisy compared to solid-state drives.
Portable hard disk drives
External HDDs connected to computers via USB ports.
Uses of portable hard disk drives
Backup systems, transferring data/files/software between computers.
Advantages of portable hard disk drives
Fast data access time and transfer rate, large memory capacity.
Disadvantages of portable hard disk drives
Easily damaged if dropped, slower data transfer rate than fixed hard drives.
CD/DVD optical disks
Read from or written to by optical storage devices, use laser light to read and write data.
Uses of CD-R and DVD-R
Home recording of music and films, storing data for later use or transfer.
Advantages of CD-R and DVD-R
Cheaper than RW disks, behave like a ROM once burned.
Disadvantages of CD-R and DVD-R
Can only be recorded once, not all players can read them.
Uses of CD-RW/DVD-RW
Record television programs, backup files and data.
Advantages of CD-RW/DVD-RW
Can be written over many times, use different file formats, less wasteful.
Disadvantages of CD-RW/DVD-RW
Relatively expensive, possible to accidentally overwrite data.
Uses of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
Read-only memory for permanent data storage, used for music files, software, and games.
Advantages of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
Less expensive than hard disk drives.
Disadvantages of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
Slower data transfer rate and access time than hard disks.
Blu-ray discs
Use blue laser for read/write operations, store more data than DVDs.
Comparison of DVDs and Blu-ray discs
Blu-ray has larger storage capacity and allows for more interactivity.
Advantages of Blu-ray compared to DVD
Record high-definition TV programs, quick skipping, editing, and more.
Uses of Blu-ray discs
Home video consoles, storing and playing back movies, data storage and backup.
Advantages of Blu-ray discs
Large storage capacity, fast data transfer rate and access speed, secure encryption.
Disadvantages of Blu-ray discs
Expensive, encryption problems when used for video storage.
Solid-state drives (SSD)
Use solid-state media, more reliable and lighter than HDDs, faster data transfer speed.
Advantages of SSDs
More reliable, lighter, lower power consumption, run cooler, faster data transfer speed.
Disadvantages of SSDs
Limited write operations, not used in all servers.
Pen drives
Small portable devices using solid-state technology, used for file transfer and backup.
Uses of memory sticks/pen drives
Transporting files, backing store, security device against software piracy.
Advantages of memory sticks/pen drives
Compact and portable, robust, no additional software needed, not affected by magnetic fields.
Disadvantages of memory sticks/pen drives
Cannot write protect data, easy to lose, incorrect removal can corrupt data.
Memory cards
Solid-state technology, inserted into devices for reading or writing data.
Types of memory cards
SD cards, XD cards, CFast cards.
The future of storage devices
Cloud storage and streaming data from the internet.
