Miniature Storage Devices

By

Kathryn Schmeding

Miniature Storage Devices

• Allows users to easily transport digital images, music, or documents to and from computers and other devices.

Miniature Storage Devices

• Many types of miniature storage devices are available, with capacities ranging from 16MB to 4GB.

• Most miniature storage devices are no bigger than a postage stamp.

Common Types of Miniature Storage Devices

Media or Device Name Storage Capacity Type

Compact Flash 32MB to 4GB Flash Memory Card

Smart Media 32MB to 128MB Flash Memory Card

Secure Digital 16MB to 1GB Flash Memory Card

xD Picture Card 64MB to 512MB Flash Memory Card

Memory Stick 128MB to 1GB Flash Memory Card

Microdrive 1GB to 4GB Magnetic Media

USB Flash Drive Up to 2GB Flash Memory Card

Miniature Storage Devices

• These miniature, rewritable media are usually in the form of flash memory cards or miniature hard disks.

Flash Memory Cards

• Sometimes called solid-state devices.

• They consist entirely of electronics and contain no moving parts.

Miniature Hard disks

• Magnetic media

• Operate like their desktop-sized counterparts on a smaller scale.

Miniature Storage Devices Lifetime

• Manufacturers claim miniature storage devices can last anywhere from 10 to 100 years.

Transfer Rates

• Range from about 1MBps to 10MBps or more depending on the device.

Miniature storage devices vs other storage devices

• Smaller, much lighter in weight, and more portable than other storage devices.

• More expensive

For Further Information

• A good website to visit is www.compusa.com

• Shows prices and availability of different devices

Summary

• Allows users to easily transport digital images, music, or documents to and from computers and other devices.

• Many types of miniature storage devices are available, with capacities ranging from 16MB to 4GB.

• These miniature, rewritable media are usually in the form of flash memory cards or miniature hard disks.

• Miniature Storage devices are smaller and lighter in weight than other storage devices.

• Manufacturers claim miniature storage devices can last anywhere from 10 to 100 years.

References

• Shelly, Gary B., Thomas J. Cashman, and Misty E. Vermaat. Discovering Computers 2005: A Gateway to Information. Boston MA.: Course Technology, 2005.

• Eng, Paul. ABC News: Nanotechnology Will Cram More Data in Tiny Storage Devices. 10 Jan. 2005. 28 Nov. 2005 <http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/FutureTech/story?id=97772&page=1>.