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) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- MacBook Air gets Penryn and MBP17 gets minor bump
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- Blog posts 2008-10-15
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- Blog posts 2008-10-15
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- Blog posts 2008-10-15
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- Blog posts 2008-10-14
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- Blog posts 2008-10-14
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
- More on Apple's new Mini DisplayPort
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
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- Blog posts 2008-10-14
- Intel barely beats for Q3
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- Blog posts 2008-10-14
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
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- Blog posts 2008-10-14
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
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- Blog posts 2008-10-14
- Apple gadget lust for me, but anything for Ed Tech?
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- Discussion threads 2008-10-14
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