Common Types of Storage (AQA GCSE Computer Science)

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Storage devices are non-volatile secondary storage, that retain digital data within a computer system
They provide a means of storing, accessing, and retrieving data, which can include software applications, documents, images, videos, and more
There are 3 types of storage:
- Magnetic
- Solid State
- Optical

Magnetic storage is a type of non-volatile media that uses magnets (polarity) to store binary 0s and 1s

Advantages	Disadvantages
Capacity - High storage	Durability - Moving parts can get damaged if dropped
Cost - Low per gigabyte	Portability - Heavy & bulky making them less convenient for transport
Speed - Moderate read/write access	Reliability - Prone to mechanical failure
	Noise - Loud (spinning disks)

Solid state storage is a type of non-volatile media that uses electronic circuits to store binary 0s and 1s

Advantages	Disadvantages
Capacity - Medium/high storage	Cost - Very high per gigabyte
Speed - Very fast read/write access	Reliability - Limited read/write cycles
Durability - No moving parts
Portability - Small and no moving parts
Noise - Silent

Optical storage is a type of non-volatile media that uses lasers to burn the surface of a disk, creating pits and lands suitable for storing binary 0s and 1s

Advantages	Disadvantages
Cost - Very low per gigabyte	Capacity - Very low
Durability - No moving parts	Speed - Very slow read/write access
Portability - Small and no moving parts	Reliability - Prone to scratches
Noise - Silent

Zarmeen has purchased a new tablet computer. The tablet has an internal secondary storage device.

The storage device is a solid state device.

Give three benefits of the tablet having a solid state device instead of a magnetic device [3]
Give two drawbacks of the tablet having a solid state device instead of a magnetic device [2]

Answers

Benefits
- Faster access / read/write speeds
- Smaller in physical size
- More durable // no moving parts
Drawbacks
- More expensive (per gigabyte)
- Smaller capacity (usually)
- Limited number of read/write cycles

Guidance

to absolutely everything:

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

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