Secondary Storage

• What type of storage is secondary storage?

  Non-volatile storage
• Why is secondary storage slower to access than primary storage?

  It is further away from the CPU
• What are the characteristics of storage you should know?

  • Capacity
  • Durability
  • Portability
  • Access Speed
  • Cost
  • Reliability
• What does capacity refer to in storage devices?

  The maximum amount of data stored
• What does durability indicate about a storage device?

  The strength of the device to last
• How is portability defined in terms of storage devices?

  How easy it is to carry the device
• What does access speed measure in storage devices?

  How quickly data can be read or edited
• What does cost refer to in storage devices?

  The average price to purchase the device
• What does reliability indicate about a storage device?

  The likelihood of continued performance over time
• How does a read/write head function in an HDD?

  It moves above the disk platter to read data
• What is the most common form of secondary storage in desktop computers?

  Magnetic hard disk drive (HDD)
• Why have USB sticks replaced floppy disks?

  They are faster and have higher capacity
• What type of magnetic storage is now obsolete?

  Floppy disk
• What is a characteristic of magnetic tape storage?

  High storage capacity with serial access
• What are the characteristics of magnetic storage (HDD)?

  • Large capacity
  • Cheaper cost per gigabyte
  • Durable and portable
  • Slower access speed than solid state
• What technology does optical storage use to read data?

  A laser to project beams of light
• Why is optical storage considered the slowest type of secondary storage?

  It uses a laser on a spinning disc
• What are the storage capacities of optical discs?

  CD: 700 MB, DVD: 4.7 GB, Blu-ray: 25 GB
• What is a disadvantage of optical discs?

  They are very fragile and can break
• What is a benefit of optical discs in terms of portability?

  They are thin and very portable
• What is the access speed of optical discs?

  They have the slowest access speed
• What is a key feature of solid state storage?

  There are no moving parts
• Why are SSDs replacing HDDs in modern devices?


  They are quieter, faster, and use less power
• What is a common type of solid state storage used for file transport?

  USB flash drive
• What is an example of solid state storage in cameras?

  SD card
• What is a characteristic of USB sticks and memory cards?

  They are very portable and small
• What is the access speed of solid state storage compared to other types?

  It has the fastest access speed
• What is a disadvantage of solid state storage?

  More expensive cost per gigabyte
• How do magnetic, optical, and solid-state storage rank in terms of characteristics?

  • Capacity: Magnetic > Solid-state > Optical
  • Durability: Solid-state > Magnetic > Optical
  • Portability: Solid-state > Optical > Magnetic
  • Speed: Solid-state > Magnetic > Optical
  • Cost: Magnetic < Solid-state < Optical
• What secondary storage should be used for sending videos to family?

  Optical storage (DVDs) is appropriate.
• What secondary storage is best for storing a school presentation?

  USB flash drive is most appropriate.
• What secondary storage should be used for group project files?

  Cloud storage is ideal for collaboration.
• What secondary storage is suitable for backing up an old computer?

  Magnetic tape is best for backups.