| The Zip drive is a storage system for computers | | | | When portable zip drives were initially introduced in |
| that serves as a good alternative to USB flash | | | | the market, they were able to connect to computers |
| devices and CD and floppy drives. It can either be | | | | through the parallel port. However, they were not |
| installed in your CPU or you can opt for the portable | | | | compatible with other computers that did not have |
| Zip drives so you can take your files anywhere with | | | | those parallel ports. Furthermore, these ports have |
| you for more convenience. The portable ones still | | | | lower data rates compared to USB's. On the other |
| function like the ones you can install in your CPU | | | | hand is the USB portable zip drive that you can |
| since they rewrite and read Zip disks, but this time, | | | | conveniently plug to the USB port of your computer |
| they can be removed and reconnected easily. | | | | and it allows for faster transfer of files. |
| Replacements for the floppy disk | | | | Zip drives are useful, too |
| Portable zip drives were originally designed to serve | | | | In today's world where USB flash drives and DVD |
| as a more convenient and better way to store more | | | | ROM's are more preferred, you can still opt to buy a |
| files than the 3.5-inch floppy disk. They are connected | | | | portable zip drive for your computer or laptop. After |
| to the computer using a peripheral port and their | | | | all, you can never have too many storage devices |
| storage capacities range from 100MB to 750MB. | | | | and they make good back-up devices, too. Just |
| However, due to their expensiveness and bulkiness, | | | | make sure that it consists of a plug-and-play USB |
| only a few people are able to find them useful and | | | | system that won't require you to install any software |
| really convenient as a replacement to the floppy disk. | | | | and that it has a format time of 10 to 15 seconds. |
| USB versus parallel ports | | | | |