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Storage
Computers need to be able to store programs and data when the power is switched off. Secondary storage is used to hold data and programs when the computer is not in use.
The choice of secondary storage medium depends on the use it is required for. When deciding on the type of device needed, a user should consider: Once these factors are taken into consideration, an appropriate choice can be made. Storage media comparison table In many situations, more than one type of secondary storage may be
suitable. For example, a USB stick or a CD-RW may be used to transfer files, or to back up data.Suitable devices and storage media for a given application
MediumTypeCapacitySpeed of accessPortabilityDurabilityReliabilityTypical use Hard disk
Magnetic
500 GB-12 TB
Slow
Internal devices are fixed. External hard disks are portable
Reasonable, but prone to damage if dropped or knocked
Generally very reliable if looked after
Long-term storage of programs and data
CD-ROM/R
Optical
640 MB
Very slow
Very portable
Easily scratched, damaged or broken
Generally very reliable if looked after
Backups, archives, copies of data, distribution of programs and music
CD-RW
Optical
640 MB
Very slow
Very portable
Easily scratched, damaged or broken
Generally very reliable if looked after
Copies of data, transferring files between computers
DVD-ROM/R
Optical
4.7 GB
Slow
Very portable
Easily scratched, damaged or broken
Generally very reliable if looked after
Backups, copies of data, distribution of games, TV programmes and movies
DVD-RW
Optical
4.7 GB
Slow
Very portable
Easily scratched, damaged or broken
Generally very reliable if looked after
Backups, archives, copies of data
Blu-ray-ROM/R
Optical
50 GB
Slow
Very portable
Easily scratched, damaged or broken
Generally very reliable if looked after
Distribution of TV shows and movies
Blu-ray-RW
Optical
50 GB
Slow
Very portable
Easily scratched, damaged or broken
Generally very reliable if looked after
Backups, archives
Solid-state drive
Flash memory
256 GB-4 TB
Very fast
Internal devices are fixed. External hard disks are portable
Robust and resilient
Reliable
Long-term storage of programs and data where high performance is required
USB memory stick
Flash memory
2 GB-2 TB
Fast
Very portable
Robust and resilient
Reliable
Copies of data, transferring files between computers
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