TAPE DRIVES
MAGNETIC disk
Like a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk has a magnetically covered surface that can store encoded information.
Disk drive: writes data onto the disk's surface and reads data from the surface. This can rapidly retrieve information from the magnetic disk.
Hard Disk: Is a rigid, magnetically sensitive disk that spins rapidly and continuously inside the computer.
Disk drive: writes data onto the disk's surface and reads data from the surface. This can rapidly retrieve information from the magnetic disk.
Hard Disk: Is a rigid, magnetically sensitive disk that spins rapidly and continuously inside the computer.
OPTICAL DISC DRIVE
An optical disc drive uses layer beams rather than magnets to read and write bits of data on a reflective aluminum layer of the disc. While optical discs are generally reliable for long-term storage, they can deteriorate. A severe scratch in the plastic coating can allow air to reach the aluminum layer, leading to oxidation and loss of infromation. Access speeds are slower for optical discs than for magnetic hard disks.
*"Disc" is generally spelled with a "k" when it refers to magnetic media and with a "c" when it refers to optical media.
*"Disc" is generally spelled with a "k" when it refers to magnetic media and with a "c" when it refers to optical media.