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

Tape drives (or cartridge drives) can be used to store large amounts of data. Retrieving information from a tape drive is slower than from some other storage devices because the tape drive has to work its way through the tape to access the relevant information.

• Like floppy disks, Zip disks and CD-Rs, magnetic tape cartridges are removable and easy to transport. Many can store far more data than other removable storage devices, with some cartridges able to store more data than the largest hard disks.
  
  
• The price of tape drives varies far more than any other storage device. Some drives are about the same price as a mid-range hard drive, while others are many times the price. Tape cartridges tend to be relatively inexpensive.