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Solid state memory devices, such as SSDs and flash memory cards, store data without moving parts. They are used in many electronic devices and can be expanded for more storage. Flash drives and memory cards are portable and easy to use. Some devices have built-in solid-state drives to reduce wear on internal parts. Prices are declining as solid-state technology becomes more popular. Solid-state memory devices are practical and cost-effective for storing data and are replacing floppy disks.
Solid state memory or a solid state drive (SSD) is a device that uses no moving parts to store data. These devices can range from 8Mb up to 32Gb. Many electronic devices, from digital cameras to cell phones, can be expanded to store data on flash memory cards. These cards are solid-state devices that are usually a little larger than a postage stamp, but can hold several Megabytes of data. The different types of memory available depend on the device manufacturer and size (both physical and storage).
Many manufacturers make flash drives, which are solid-state storage devices that plug into standard USB ports on computer systems. These are usually small and can be attached to a keychain or lanyard for portability. When connected to a computer, the flash drive will typically appear as just another drive mounted on the system where data can be stored.
Another type of solid-state storage device that has become popular is the flash memory card, which is typically about the size of a postage stamp (or smaller, depending on the manufacturer and type of SSD). These memory cards are generally used in digital cameras, cell phones or other portable electronic devices for quick data storage. Some companies, such as Sony Electronics, have their own proprietary memory cards or memory sticks that are typically only compatible with devices made by the same company, but work just like any other manufacturer’s flash memory.
Some newer electronic devices, including MP3 players and even some computers, have built-in solid-state drives. This removes the moving internal parts from the devices and reduces the wear on them from the movement of the heads to read and write information.
The prices of removable solid state storage continue to decline as new technologies are introduced to the market; however, computers that rely entirely on solid-state technology continue to be at the high end of this trend because solid-state computing is relatively new. As this catches on, prices here will drop and more people will try computers with few or no moving parts.
For now, the storage and data portability provided by solid-state memory devices will continue to make them one of the most practical and cost-effective methods of storing data. In many cases, the flash drive is starting to replace the floppy disk drive as the medium is cheaper, easier to use, and holds much more data than the floppy disks introduced when the PC first took off.
