| External storage systems are devices that are not | | | | thicker and heavier than floppy disks. |
| permanently fixed inside the computer but can store | | | | Advantages: They offer a wide range of storage |
| files for later use. They are designed to be plugged in | | | | options and include backup options. They are |
| or inserted into the computer to function. Some | | | | portable, as well. |
| examples of external storage devices are CD, flash | | | | Disadvantages: They are generally costly and require |
| drives, and external hard disk drives. | | | | investment, both in the hardware and the zip disks. |
| For a more elaborate explanation of the types of | | | | CD-RW and CD-RW Drive |
| external storage devices, take a quick look on the | | | | A CR-RW is a readable and writable compact disc. By |
| following items: | | | | writable, it means that data can be stored through it |
| External Hard Disk Drive (HDD) | | | | through the process called “data burning”. To |
| External hard disk drives are portable, removable | | | | be able to burn data into a CD, a CD-RW drive is |
| drives that you can carry along with you to store | | | | required. |
| files or transfer files from one computer to another. | | | | Advantages: CD-RW disks can be used repeatedly, |
| They are often designed with a USB port where one | | | | meaning you can use just one disk and overwrite |
| end of a USB cable is to be plugged in, while the | | | | data in it. They are relatively inexpensive and very |
| other end is to be connected to the computer. | | | | portable. |
| Advantages: They are portable and usually come in | | | | Disadvantages: Most CD-RW disks can hold up to |
| large memory size. | | | | 700MB of data only. Moreover, to be able to store |
| Disadvantages: They are generally costly and are big | | | | data in a CD-RW disk, your computer must have a |
| enough not to fit into small pockets. | | | | compatible drive first. |
| USB Flash Drive | | | | DVD-RW and DVD-RW Drive |
| USB flash drives are small storage devices that you | | | | DVD-RW works the same as CD-RWs, where data |
| plug into a computer’s USB port to function. | | | | can be stored and burned through DVDs using a |
| After that, you can easily store and transfer files | | | | DVD-RW drive. DVD-RW disks, however, can carry |
| from and to the computer. They come in a wide | | | | larger amount of data and produce greater quality. |
| variety of shapes and sizes and are available in Apple | | | | Advantages: They offer more flexibility as they burn |
| stores. | | | | twice as fast and as efficient as CD burners. They |
| Advantages: They are very portable that you can | | | | store up to a few MB of data. Finally, they are also |
| keep it inside your pocket, and are generally | | | | portable and easy to use. |
| affordable. | | | | Disadvantages: You can only burn data in a DVD-RW |
| Disadvantages: Most USB flash drives can only hold | | | | if your computer comes with a DVD-RW drive. |
| up to 8GB of data files. With their small size, they | | | | You actually have a lot of choices when it comes to |
| can easily be misplaced. | | | | external storage devices. While each has its own |
| Zip Drive | | | | advantages and disadvantages, you are sure that |
| Zip drives are disk drives that make use of | | | | one or two can actually provide you with your digital |
| removable Zip disks in storing large sizes of data. | | | | storage needs. Purchase one at your favorite Apple |
| They look like a floppy disk drive, but what you | | | | store or computer shop and start organizing your |
| insert is a zip disk and not a floppy disk. Zip disks are | | | | digital stuffs! |