A storage device is a piece of computer hardware used for saving, carrying and pulling
out data. It can keep and retain information short-term or long-term. It can be a device
inside or outside a computer or server. Other terms for storage device are storage
medium or storage media. A storage device is one of the basic elements of any
computer device. It almost saves all data and applications in a computer except for
hardware firmware. It comes in different shapes and sizes depending on the needs and
functionalities.
Types of Storage Devices
There are two different types of storage devices:
Primary Storage Device Secondary Storage Device
Size Smaller Larger
Data Retention Temporary Permanent
Location Internal Internal / External
Examples RAM, Cache Memory Hard disk, Compact Disk Drive, USB storage device
Examples of Storage Device
Magnetic Storage Device – one of the most popular types of storage used
.
Floppy diskette – A normal 3 ½ inch disk can store 1.44 MB of data
Hard drive – An internal hard drive is the main storage device in a
computer.
An external hard drive is also known as removable hard drive. It is used to
Store portable data and backups.
Magnetic strip – Magnetic tape drive stores video and audio using
magnetic tape, like tape and video tape recorders.
Super disk – A disk drive and diskette that can hold 120 MB and 240 MB
of data.
Cassette tape – A magnetic storage device used for audio recording and
playback.
Zip diskette – Like a floppy diskette but more advanced.
Optical Storage Device – uses lasers and lights as its mode of saving and
retrieving data.
Blu-ray disc – A digital optical storage device which was intended to
replace the DVD format.
CD-ROM disc – An optical storage device that is read-only or cannot be
modified nor deleted.
CD-R and CD-RW disc – CD-R is a recordable disc that can be written to
once, while CD-RW is a rewritable disc that can be written to multiple times.
DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW disc – DVD-R and DVD+R are
recordable discs that can be written to once, while DVD-RW and DVD+RW
are rewritable discs that can be written to multiple times. The difference
between the + and – is in the formatting and compatibility.
Flash Memory Device – is now replacing magnetic storage device as it is
economical, more functional and dependable.
Memory card – An electronic flash memory device used to store digital
information and commonly used in mobile electronic devices.
Memory stick – A memory card that is removable.
SSD – Solid State Drive – A flash memory device that uses integrated
circuit assemblies to save data steadily.
USB flash drive, jump drive or thumb drive – A small, portable storage
device connected through the USB port.
Online and Cloud – is now becoming widespread as people access data from
different devices.
Cloud storage – Data is managed remotely and made available over a
network. Basic features are free to use but upgraded version is paid monthly
as a per consumption rate.
Network media – Audio, Video, Images or Text that are used on a
computer network. A community of people creates and use the content
shared over the internet.
Paper Storage – method used by early computers for saving information.
OMR – stands for Optical Mark Recognition – A process of capturing
marked data of human from forms like surveys and tests. It is used to read
questionnaires with multiple choices that are shaded.
Punch card – A piece of hard paper used to contain digital information
coming from the perforated holes. The presence or absence of holes in
predetermined positions defines the data.
