Storage Devices

Types of Storage Devices

A storage device is a device capable of storing data. The term usually refers to mass storage devices, such as disk and tape drives (www.webopedia.com). In this paper I will explore different types of storage devices and which ones are optimal for different situations. I will also explain what situations are appropriate for the following devices and explain why:

a. Hard disk

b. Floppy disk

c. RAM

d. CD ROM

e. Tape

Hard Disk

A hard disk is a magnetic disk on which you can store computer data. The term hard is used to distinguish if from a soft, or floppy, disk. Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks. A hard disk, for example, can store anywhere from 10 to more than 100 gigabytes, whereas most floppies have a maximum storage capacity of 14 megabytes (www.webopedoa.com). Nearly every desktop computer and server use today contains one or more hard-disk drives. Every mainframe and supercomputer is normally connected to hundreds of them. You can even find VCR-type devices and camcorders that use hard disks instead of tape. That is because they store changing digital information in a relatively permanent form. They give computers the ability to remember things when the power goes out (www.howstuffworks.com). Applications for hard disk drives include personal video recorders, digital audio players, digital organizers, and digital cameras (en.wikipedia.org)

Floppy Disk

A floppy disk is a soft magnetic disk. Unlike most hard disks, floppy disks are portable, because you can remove them from a disk drive. Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity, but they are much less expensive. (www.webopedia.com). Floppy disks are portable so they can be used to transport data such as reports, presentations, resumes, etc.

RAM

RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly, that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices such as printers (www.webopedia.com). In common usage, the term RAM is synonymous with main memory, the memory available to programs. The amount of RAM determines the type of programs that will be available for use on a computer such as games, accessories and utilities. When there is not enough memory available you will not be able to run programs that consume large amounts of memory.

CD-ROM

CD-ROM is a type of optical disk capable of storing large amounts of data - up to 1GB, although the most common size is 650MB. A single CD-ROM has the storage capacity of 700 floppy disks, enough memory to store about 300,000 text pages (www.webopedia). CD-ROMS are particularly well-suited to information that requires large storage capacity. This includes large software applications that support color, graphics, sound, and especially video (www.webopedia.com).

Tape

Tape is a magnetically coated strip of plastic on which data can be