A storage device is any computing hardware that is used to store, port, and extract data files and objects. It can hold and store information both temporarily and permanently and be internal or external to a computer, server, or any similar computing device.
Some examples of computer storage
- Magnetic Storage
One of the most widely used types of digital data storage is magnetic storage. This refers to any type of data storage using a magnetized medium. Digital data consists of binary information, which is data in the form of zeros and ones.
- Floppy diskette
- Hard drive
- Magnetic strip
- SuperDisk
- Tape cassette
- Zip diskette
- Optical Storage
Optical storage refers to any data storage device or equipment that uses optical data storage and retrieval techniques to read and write data. It stores data digitally on a media device and uses a laser to read data from it.
- Blu-ray disc
- CD-ROM disc
- CD-R and CD-RW disc.
- DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW disc.
- Solid-State Storage
Solid-state storage (SSS) is a method of data storage accomplished by using integrated circuit devices to store data rather than moving magnetic or optical media.
- USB flash drive, jump drive, or thumb drive.
- CF (CompactFlash)
- M.2
- Memory card
- MMC
- NVMe
- SDHC Card
- SmartMedia Card
- Sony Memory Stick
- SD card
- SSD
- xD-Picture Card
- Online and Cloud
Cloud storage is a cloud computing model that stores data on the Internet through a cloud computing provider that manages and operates data storage as a service. It’s delivered on-demand with just-in-time capacity and costs and eliminates buying and managing your own data storage infrastructure.
- Cloud storage
- Network media
- Paper Storage
Flash memory is widely used for storage and data transfer. In the consumer sector, flash memory finds a home in a range of devices, including phones, cameras, and tablets.
- Flash drive
- Memory card
- Compact Flash (CF)
- Multi-Media Card
- SmartMedia Card
- SSD Card
- Paper Storage
Which storage device has the largest capacity?
The SSD or hard disk is the largest storage device for most computers. Also, computers that have network connections may have the ability to access larger storage with cloud computing, NAS devices, or cloud computing.
How do you access storage devices?
To access the storage device on a computer or laptop depends on the operating system, which is being used in the system. Access a storage device with Microsoft Windows, you can use a file manager to access the files on any storage device. Microsoft Windows uses Explorer as its default file manager. With Apple computers, Finder is considered the default file manager.