Scribd
Upload
19 views19 pages

Storage Devices updated

The document provides an overview of various computer storage devices, categorizing them into primary and secondary types. It discusses specific examples such as floppy disks, hard disks, portable hard disks, magnetic tapes, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, and memory cards, detailing their advantages and disadvantages. The information emphasizes the importance of storage devices for data retention and transfer in computing.

Uploaded by

taha taha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
19 views19 pages

Storage Devices updated

The document provides an overview of various computer storage devices, categorizing them into primary and secondary types. It discusses specific examples such as floppy disks, hard disks, portable hard disks, magnetic tapes, CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, and memory cards, detailing their advantages and disadvantages. The information emphasizes the importance of storage devices for data retention and transfer in computing.

Uploaded by

taha taha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 19

Storage Devices

Instructor: Ms. Hafsa Zahra


Storage Devices

• A computer storage device is any type of hardware


that stores data

• Computer's primary hard drive stores the operating


system, applications, and files and folders for users of
the computer

• Without a storage device, your computer would not be


able to save any settings or information
Storage Devices

There are two different types of storagedevices:


– Primary StorageDevices:
Generally smaller in size, are designed to hold data
temporarily and are internal to the computer. They have
the fastest data access speed, and include RAMand cache
memory.
– Secondary StorageDevices:
These usually have large storage capacity, and they store
data permanently. They can be both internal andexternal
to the computer, and they include the hard disk, compact
disk drive and USB storagedevice.
Storage Devices

The following are some additional examples of storage


devices that are used with computers
– Floppy Disk
– Hard Disk
– Magnetic Tapes
– CDs and DVDs
– Memory Sticks and Pen Drives
– Flash Memory Cards
Floppy Disk
• A floppy disk is a data storage medium
that is composed of a disk of thin,
flexible floppy magnetic storage
medium encased in a square or
rectangular plastic shell.
• Floppy disks are read and written by a
floppydisk drive.
Application
– Any use where small files such as word processing,
small spreadsheets and databases need to be moved
from one computer to another. Useful to backup small
data files.
Floppy Disk

Advantages:
– Floppies are cheap and can be used many time
– Floppies are easy to transport and handle
Disadvantages:
– Floppies don't have much storage capacity
– Floppies can get affected byheat
– They have to handle more carefully
– Slow data transfer rate
Fixed Hard Disk

• Used to store large amounts of digital


information in computers
• Hard disk drives are used to store
operating systems, software and working
data.
• Suitable for any application which requires
very fast access to data for both reading and
writing to.
• Almost all computers used a fixed hard disc.
Fixed Hard Disk
Advantages
– Large storage capacity
– Stores and retrieves data much faster than a floppy disk or
CD-ROM
– Data is not lost when you switch off thecomputer
– Usually fixed inside the computer so cannot getlost.
– Cheap
– Harddisks can be replaced and upgraded as necessary

Disadvantages
– Hard disks eventually fail which stops the computerfrom
working.
– The disk is fixed inside the computer and cannot easily be
transferred to another computer.
Portable Hard Disk

Portable hard disks are good fun because you can carry
data about all over the place and transfer information,
programs, pictures, etc. between computers.
Advantages:
– Greatly improved data cargo carrying capacity
– Portable
Disadvantages:
– Tobe handled quite carefully, and when being transported should
be wrapped in something soft and put in a padded bag.
– More expensive than other forms ofremovable media.
Application
– Portable disks are used to store very large files which need
transporting from one computer to another
Magnetic Tape

• Magnetictapehas been used for datastorage for over 50 years.


• When storing large amounts of data, tape can be substantially less
expensive than disk
• Tape storage has always been used with large computer systems.
• Modern usage is primarily as a highcapacity medium for
backups.
• The new magnetic tape produced by these industry giants has
a capacity of 580TB (terabytes).
Magnetic Tape

Advantages:
– Relatively cheap per megabyte ofstorage
– Can store large amounts of data – over GB
– Magnetic tape can be recorded over and reused
repeatedly.
Disadvantages:
– Needs serial access, so can be quite slow toaccess data
– Magnetic tape has a lifespan of 15 years. Data quality
gradually destroys over time.
CDs and DVDs

• CDs tend to be used for large files which are too big for a floppy disc
to hold such as music and general animation
• DVDsare used to hold very large files (several GB)such as movie,
films
• Both CDsand DVDsare portable i.e. they can be transported from one
computer to another
• Both can be used to store computerdata
• These are the smallest form of memory available in the market
today.
• Widely used as removable storage.
• CD/DVD can be easily writtento and updated.
CD

Advantages
– Small
– Portable
– Cheap
– Fast than magnetic tapes to read thedata
Disadvantages
– Fairly Fragile/breakable
– Easy to scratch or snap
– Smaller Storage capacity than DVDand harddisk
– Slower to access than hard disk
DVD

Advantages
– Very large storage capacity
– Sound and picture quality isexcellent
– Cheap
– DVD drives can readCD
Disadvantages
– Do not work in CDDrives
– Easily damaged by Scratching orbreaking
USB Flash Drives
• Removable and rewritable
• Much smaller than a floppydisk
• USBflash drives offer potential advantages over other
portable storage devices, particularly the floppydisk
• Flash drives are widely used to transport filesandbackup
data from computer to computer.
• They have a
– More compact shape
– Operate faster
– Hold much more data
– Have a more durabledesign
– Operate more reliably due to their lack of moving parts
USB Flash Drives

Advantages:-
– Less energy consumption (good forlaptops).
– Faster then normal HDs.
– Longer life
– Portable
– Can use on multipledevices
– Non volatile in nature
Disadvantages:-
– Expensive
– Easy to lose
– Not much storage insome cases.
Memory Card
• A memory card or flash memory card is a solid-state
electronic flash memory data storage device used withdigital
cameras, handheld and Mobile computers, telephones, music
players, and other electronics.
Memory Card

• Nowadays, most new PCs have built-in slots for a


variety of memory cards; Memory Stick,Compact
Flash, SD, etc.

• Some digital gadgets support more than one memory


cardto ensure compatibility.
Memory Card

Advantages:-
– Small in size thus occupy less space.
– Small size but large data storagecapacity.
– Even work on players made enabled to read memorycard.
– Good brand's memory work really superb and easily andfast.
– Cheaper rates good quality
– Non-volatile
– Require less amount ofpower
– Highly portable
Disadvantages:-
– Can get corrupted very fast if nothandledcarefully.
– Cannot be attached or read on the computer without proper
hardware unlike pen drive.
– Can be lost or misplaced
– Can be break easily
– Sometimes work slow.

You might also like