Module 1, Concepts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Other magnetic disk devices, such as Zip disks and Jaz disks, tend to cover the middle ground, in terms of both speed and capacity.

• The cost of a drive to use one of these disks usually falls in the same range as the cost of a standard hard disk. Faster drives that use higher capacity disks tend to cost the same as larger, faster hard disks, while slower drives that use lower capacity disks are similar in price to smaller, slower hard disks. Be aware though that because the drive has no storage capacity of its own, you also need to buy the appropriate disks to use.

• The disks tend to offer much less capacity than a hard disk — although much more than a floppy disk. However, each disk can cost anything up to the price of a small hard disk. The main advantage is that the disks can be removed and transferred elsewhere. Also, because you can have as many disks as you want, overall capacity is not limited, except by the cost of the disks and your budget.