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What is a Storage Device? Definition,

Types, Examples
Last Updated : 24 Apr, 2023
The storage unit is a part of the computer system which is employed to
store the information and instructions to be processed. A storage
device is an integral part of the computer hardware which stores
information/data to process the result of any computational work.
Without a storage device, a computer would not be able to run or even
boot up. Or in other words, we can say that a storage device is
hardware that is used for storing, porting, or extracting data files. It
can also store information/data both temporarily and permanently.

Types of Computer Memory

1. Primary Memory
2. Secondary Memory
3. Tertiary Memory

1. Primary Memory: It is also known as internal memory and main

memory. This is a section of the CPU that holds program instructions,
input data, and intermediate results. It is generally smaller in size.
RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) are
examples of primary storage.

2. Secondary Memory: Secondary storage is a memory that is stored

external to the computer. It is mainly used for the permanent and
long-term storage of programs and data. Hard Disks, CDs, DVDs,
Pen/Flash drives, SSD, etc, are examples of secondary storage.
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Types of Computer Storage Devices

Now we will discuss different types of storage devices available in the
market. These storage devices have their own specification and use.
Some of the commonly used storage devices are:

1. Primary Storage Devices

2. Magnetic Storage Devices
3. Flash memory Devices
4. Optical Storage Devices
5. Cloud and Virtual Storage

1. Primary Storage Devices

RAM: It stands for Random Access Memory. It is used to store
information that is used immediately or we can say that it is a
temporary memory. Computers bring the software installed on a
hard disk to RAM to process it and to be used by the user. Once, the
computer is turned off, the data is deleted. With the help of RAM,
computers can perform multiple tasks like loading applications,
browsing the web, editing a spreadsheet, experiencing the newest
game, etc. It allows you to modify quickly among these tasks,
remembering where you’re in one task once you switch to a
different task. It is also used to load and run applications, like your
spreadsheet program, answers commands, like all edits you made
within the spreadsheet, or toggle between multiple programs, like
once you left the spreadsheet to see the email. Memory is nearly
always actively employed by your computer. It ranges from 1GB –
32GB/64GB depending upon the specifications. There are different
types of RAM, and although they all serve the same purpose, the
most common ones are :
SRAM: It stands for Static Random Access Memory. It consists of
circuits that retain stored information as long as the power
supply is on. It is also known as volatile memory. It is used to
build Cache memory. The access time of SRAM is lower and it is
much faster as compared to DRAM but in terms of cost, it is
costly as compared to DRAM.
DRAM: It stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory. It is used
to store binary bits in the form of electrical charges that are
applied to capacitors. The access time of DRAM is slower as
compared to SRAM but it is cheaper than SRAM and has a high
packaging density.
SDRAM: It stands for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access
Memory. It is faster than DRAM. It is widely used in computers
and others. After SDRAM was introduced, the upgraded version
of double data rate RAM, i.e., DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4
was entered into the market and widely used in home/office
desktops and laptops.
ROM: It stands for Read-Only Memory. The data written or stored
in these devices are non-volatile, i.e, once the data is stored in the
memory cannot be modified or deleted. The memory from which
will only read but cannot write it. This type of memory is non-
volatile. The information is stored permanently during manufacture
only once. ROM stores instructions that are used to start a
computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap. It is also used
in other electronic items like washers and microwaves. ROM chips
can only store a few megabytes (MB) of data, which ranges
between 4 and 8 MB per ROM chip. There are two types of ROM:
PROM: PROM is Programmable Read-Only Memory. These are
ROMs that can be programmed. A special PROM programmer is
employed to enter the program on the PROM. Once the chip has
been programmed, information on the PROM can’t be altered.
PROM is non-volatile, that is data is not lost when power is
switched off.
EPROM: Another sort of memory is the Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory. It is possible to erase the info which has
been previously stored on an EPROM and write new data onto
the chip.
EEPROM: EEPROM is Electrically erasable programmable read-
only memory. Here, data can be erased without using ultraviolet
light, with the use of just applying the electric field.
 Primary Storage Devices

2. Magnetic Storage Devices

Floppy Disk: Floppy Disk is also known as a floppy diskette. It is

generally used on a personal computer to store data externally. A
Floppy disk is made up of a plastic cartridge and secured with a
protective case. Nowadays floppy disk is replaced by new and
effective storage devices like USB, etc.
Hard Disk: Hard Disk is a storage device (HDD) that stores and
retrieves data using magnetic storage. It is a non-volatile storage
device that can be modified or deleted n number of times without
any problem. Most computers and laptops have HDDs as their
secondary storage device. It is actually a set of stacked disks, just
like phonograph records. In every hard disk, the data is recorded
electromagnetically in concentric circles or we can say track present
on the hard disk, and with the help of a head just like a phonograph
arm(but fixed in a position) to read the information present on the
track. The read-write speed of HDDs is not so fast but decent. It
ranges from a few GBs to a few and more TB.
Magnetic Card: It is a card in which data is stored by modifying or
rearranging the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles
present on the band of the card. It is also known as a swipe card. It
is used like a passcode(to enter the house or hotel room), credit
card, identity card, etc.
Tape Cassette: It is also known as a music cassette. It is a
rectangular flat container in which the data is stored in an analog
magnetic tape. It is generally used to store audio recordings.
SuperDisk: It is also called LS-240 and LS-120. It is introduced by
Imation Corporation and it is popular with OEM computers. It can
store data up to 240 MB.
 Magnetic Storage Devices

3. Flash Memory Devices

It is a cheaper and more portable storage device. It is the most

commonly used device to store data because is more reliable and
efficient as compared to other storage devices. Some of the commonly
used flash memory devices are:

Pen Drive: It is also known as a USB flash drive that includes flash
memory with an integrated USB interface. We can directly connect
these devices to our computers and laptops and read/write data into
them in a much faster and more efficient way. These devices are
very portable. It ranges from 1GB to 256GB generally.
SSD: It stands for Solid State Drive, a mass storage device like
HDD. It is more durable because it does not contain optical disks
inside like hard disks. It needs less power as compared to hard
disks, is lightweight, and has 10x faster read and writes speed as
compared to hard disks. But, these are costly as well. While SSDs
serve an equivalent function as hard drives, their internal
components are much different. Unlike hard drives, SSDs don’t have
any moving parts and thus they’re called solid-state drives. Instead
of storing data on magnetic platters, SSDs store data using non-
volatile storage. Since SSDs haven’t any moving parts, they do not
need to “spin up”. It ranges from 150GB to a few more TB.
SD Card: It is known as a Secure Digital Card. It is generally used
with electronic devices like phones, digital cameras, etc. to store
 larger data. It is portable and the size of the SD card is also small so
that it can easily fit into electronic devices. It is available in different
sizes like 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, etc.
Memory Card: It is generally used in digital cameras. printers, game
consoles, etc. It is also used to store large amounts of data and is
available in different sizes. To run a memory card on a computer you
require a separate memory card reader.
Multimedia Card: It is also known as MMC. It is an integrated circuit
that is generally used in-car radios, digital cameras, etc. It is an
external device to store data/information.

Flash Memory Devices

4. Optical Storage Devices

Optical Storage Devices is also secondary storage device. It is a

removable storage device. Following are some optical storage devices:

CD: It is known as Compact Disc. It contains tracks and sectors on

its surface to store data. It is made up of polycarbonate plastic and
is circular in shape. CD can store data up to 700MB. It is of two
types:
CD-R: It stands for Compact Disc read-only. In this type of CD,
once the data is written can not be erased. It is read-only.
 CD-RW: It stands for Compact Disc Read Write. In this type of
CD, you can easily write or erase data multiple times.
DVD: It is known as Digital Versatile Disc. DVDs are circular flat
optical discs used to store data. It comes in two different sizes one
is 4.7GB single-layer discs and another one is 8.5GB double-layer
discs. DVDs look like CDs but the storage capacity of DVDs is more
than as compared to CDs. It is of two types:
DVD-R: It stands for Digital Versatile Disc read-only. In this type
of DVD, once the data is written can not be erased. It is read-
only. It is generally used to write movies, etc.
DVD-RW: It stands for Digital Versatile Disc Read Write. In this
type of DVD, you can easily write or erase data multiple times.
Blu-ray Disc: It is just like CD and DVD but the storage capacity of
blu ray is up to 25GB. To run a Blu-ray disc you need a separate
Blu-ray reader. This Blu-ray technology is used to read a disc from a
blue-violet laser due to which the information is stored in greater
density with a longer wavelength.

Optical Storage Devices

5. Cloud and Virtual Storage

Nowadays, secondary memory has been upgraded to virtual or cloud

storage devices. We can store our files and other stuff in the cloud and
the data is stored for as long as we pay for the cloud storage. There
are many companies that provide cloud services largely Google,
Amazon, Microsoft, etc. We can pay the rent for the amount of space
we need and we get multiple benefits out of it. Though it is actually
being stored in a physical device located in the data centers of the
service provider, the user doesn’t interact with the physical device and
its maintenance. For example, Amazon Web Services offers AWS S3
as a type of storage where users can store data virtually instead of
being stored in physical hard drive devices. These sorts of innovations
represent the frontier of where storage media goes.

Cloud and Virtual Storage

Characteristics of Computer Storage Devices

Data stored in the Memory can be changed or replaced in case of a
requirement, because of the mobility of the storage devices.
Storage Devices validate that saved data can be replaced or deleted
as per the requirements because the storage devices are easily
 readable, writeable, and rewritable.
Storage Devices are easy and convenient to access because they do
not require much skill set to handle these resources.
The storage capacity of these devices is an extra advantage to the
system.
Storage Devices have better performance and data can be easily
transferred from one device to another.

FAQs
1. What is a computer storage device?

Computer storage device gives a way to the user to store data and
safely access it on a computer system. There are various types of
storage devices.

2. What are examples of Optic storage devices?

Examples of optic devices are CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-Disc, etc.

3. Is online cloud storage a device?

Online cloud storage is not a device, it is simply a tool where we can

store our data files, images, etc. and these data are stored over the
internet.

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