Magnetic Storage | 2.2 | OCR GCSE Computer Science | J277

8 flashcards

What characteristics stand out with magnetic storage?

- Highest capacity (often several TB in size). - Lowest cost per GB (cheapest).

What is the most common type of magnetic storage?

A hard disk drive (HDD). - They can be internal or external.

How do hard disk drives work?

It uses a read/write head to move across tiny sections of a spinning magnetised disk.

What do older types of magnetic storage include?

- Magnetic tape - Floppy disk (very low capacity)

What is commonly the cost of hard disk drives?

Less than 1p per GB.

Why is it slower to access data in a hard disk drive?

Because of the moving magnetised disk.

Why is a hard disk drive both less reliable and durable?

Because of the moving disk, the moving disk will eventually fail.

Why are external HDDs more portable than optical discs?

Even though external HDDs are heavier, they are more durable making them a more portable option.