Disk storage for a laptop or computer is one of those basic components that one could not get away with. A computer or laptop without one is just as plain nearly useless. Disk storage that normally comes with a laptop or computer known as hard disk have a motor inside and some magnetic disk which is used as storage. Technology improves and hard disk have bigger capacity than before.

I remember the earliest hard disk I work with was around 40Mb size, later on 1.2Gb hard disk. A 1 terabyte hard disk from Hitatchi called Deskstar 7K1000 is scheduled for release and will cost around $399. The size and the look does not change much as it’s still 3.5 inch size for computers and 2.5 inch for laptops.

Currently Solid State Drive (SSD) is coming out of the market as a contender to replace the regular Hard Disk. SSD acts like a normal USB flash drive though the capacity is much bigger like 8 to 64Gb. I would like to draw some advantages between the two kind of disk.

Conventional Magnetic Hard Disk
Advantage:
- large capacity
- cheap

Disadvantage:
- prone to shock problems
- weighs more
- consumes more power
- generates noise

Solid State Drive Disk
Advantages:
- free from shock problems
- light weight
- consumes less power
- faster data access

Disadvantages:
- small capacity
- expensive

It would not be accurate to compare the two as their use might be different from the other. Using a certain technology appropriately with cost in mind is the key for acceptance in the market. Maybe in the next 3 to 5 years the SSD technology will mature and the price will become lower. When the time comes, I would go to some wine clubs to celebrate. A new perspective regarding disk storage with Solid State Disk is slowly going mainstream.