Despite innovations in the cyber world being introduced fast and furiously, the hard disk still continues to be the preferred storage device. It has managed to retain its pride of place as a component around which is built the entire framework of most computer networks. The first hard drive was introduced by IBM in 1956. Since then, the hard disk has continued to be the main storage device in most computers.
The world market for storage devices grew at an astounding rate of 7 percent during the year 2003. It is further expected to exhibit a strong growth in the following five years. Out of this massive market for storage devices, the hard disk based segment commands a lion’s share of 85 to 90 percent. As hard drives are increasingly being used in many new electronic gadgets, their demand is further expected to increase at an impressive pace. Infact, consumer electronics is going to usurp nearly one third of the hard drive market by 2008.
Hard disks offer some features that make them ideal for use as the main data storage devices inside computers and laptops. Some of these features are as follows:
1) Low Cost
As compared to other storage media, hard disks offer the lowest cost per bit of data. This one unique feature has exceptionally stabilized the position of hard disks in the market for storage media. Due to their low cost, the number of people using hard disks as their primary storage device is constantly on the rise. As the price of hard disks is further expected to decline in the coming years, this will tremendously enhance the dependence of people on hard disks for storing data.
2) High Capacity
Many individual and institutional users are realizing that the data generated by their computers, more than doubles every year. So a dire need is felt for storage devices that can store large amounts of data at a low cost. In this context, no storage media has been able to compete with hard disks till now. The capacity of the hard disks found in most of the standard computers varies from 40GB to 320GB. The electronic gadgets that require more than 80GB of memory inevitably rely on hard disks for storing data. Hard disks have constantly reinvented themselves over the years to cater to this insatiable demand for high capacity. During the 1980s, the storage capacity of hard disks increased at a rate of 25 to 30 percent per year. In the 90s, this pace shot up to almost 60 percent. By the late 90s, the capacity of hard disks was increasing at a rate of 130 percent per year. In the current scenario, the capacity of hard disks almost doubles every nine years.
3) High Speed
Hard disks offer a reasonably high speed, so far as the rate at which the data can be accessed and retrieved is concerned. The average drive offers an access time of 9 to 14 milliseconds. The access rate is increasing at a more or less constant pace of 40 percent per year. The manufacturers are trying hard to further increase the access rate. In the coming years we will witness a bifurcation of the hard disk market. On the one side we will have low capacity, high speed hard disks to be used for computer applications. On the other side there will exist high capacity, low speed hard disks to be used for storage and archival purposes.
4) Random Data Access
Hard disks offer the facility of random data access, unlike other storage media like magnetic tapes. One can read or write data in any file or folder one wants to by simply ignoring and jumping over the intervening files and folders. This enhances the speed of computer applications and leads to saving of time and effort.
5) Durability
Being a mechanical device, hard disks have a relatively short life span of 5 to 6 years. Still, if replaced on a regular basis, they form a durable storage media. As long as a hard disk is not physically opened or mishandled, it will remain unharmed throughout its lifespan. Further, being fixed inside computers or electronic gadgets, it cannot get mislaid.
In the near future there seems to be no possibility of hard disks becoming obsolete or replaced by some other storage media. Hard disks are here to stay and serve their purpose as long as there is a need.
If you are concerned that your system may have been hacked, our computer forensics (or digital forensics) experts can examine your system and identify evidence of intusive activity.