Storage Devices and Media

Magnetic media/storage devices

Fixed hard disk drive (HDD), Portable hard, Magnetic tape drive

Fixed hard disk drive (HDD)

To store the operating system, system software.

A: Large storage capacity, Fast data transfer rate, Fast data access time.

D: Noisy when compared to SSD, Have many moving parts that ‘affect their reliability"

Portable hard disk drive

To store backups, transfer data between computers.

A: Large storage capacity, Fast data transfer rate, Fast data access time.

D: Data transfer rate is not as fast as HDD, Have many moving parts.

Magnetic tape drive

To store backups.

A: Huge storage capacity, Fast data transfer rate, Cheaper per unit memory than HDD.
D:Very slow data access time, They are affected by magnetic field

Solid state media/storage devices

SSD, Pen drive/Memory stick, Memory cards

SSD

To store the operating system, system software and working files.
A: Faster data transfer than HDD, Faster data access time than HDD, Less power consumption than HDD, Run quieter and lighter than HDD.
D: More expensive per unit memory, HDD has greater longevity than SSD.

Pen drive/Memory stick

To store backups, File transfer between different computers.

A: Very portable, not affected by magnetic field.
D: Easy to lose, Lower storage capacity than HDD, More expensive per unit memory than HDD.

Memory cards

To store backups, photos on digital camera.

A: Small and can be easily used, Very durable.

D: Lower storage capacity than HDD, More expensive per unit memory HDD.
SD card compatible with most devices like mobiles-cameras-tablets.
XD card used for cameras-limited capacity.
CFast card faster transfer speed-used in gaming devices

Optical media storage