The primary computer storage device, which spins, reads and writes one or more fixed disk platters. In practice, the terms "hard drive" and "hard disk" are used synonymously. Hard drives are the storage medium in desktop and laptop computers as well as all servers and mainframes throughout the world. They are also used in printers for storing fonts and print jobs as well as digital music players and a myriad of other portable and stationary computer-based devices. Although removable disks encased in cartridges use the same "hard" disk media and a similar drive technology, they are mostly called "removable drives" rather than hard drives.
The term "hard" differentiates high-capacity rigid disks made of aluminum or glass from low-capacity floppy disks made of plastic. See hard drive capacity and hard disk.
The term "hard" differentiates high-capacity rigid disks made of aluminum or glass from low-capacity floppy disks made of plastic. See hard drive capacity and hard disk.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2007 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Hosted software development: an emerging market [interview and podcast]
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- Blog posts 2008-05-11
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- Blog posts 2008-05-11
- All USB ports aren't created equal
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-10
- Photos: Top 10 reviews of the week
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- Product reviews 2008-05-09
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- Blog posts 2008-05-09
- Why MSFT must make an acquisition in online media
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
- Microsoft appeals $1.4 billion EU fine
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
- Network Magic simplifies tasks for home users
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- Blog posts 2008-05-09
- Psystar: Just how loud is it? (updated 2x)
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- Blog posts 2008-05-09
- Google's open source problem is Affero
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
- Data Portability: Social Infrastructure still very much wanting
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
- Oil's superspike may make telecommuting the norm
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
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- Blog posts 2008-05-09
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- Blog posts 2008-05-09
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
- Psystar: Just how loud is it?
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- Discussion threads 2008-05-09
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- Software downloads 2008-05-09
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- Software downloads 2008-05-09
- Kodak ESP 3
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- Product reviews 2008-05-08
Neighboring Terms
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