What do solid-state drives (SSDs) use for storage?

Solid-state drives (SSDs) utilize flash memory for data storage. Flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage that retains information even when power is turned off, making it ideal for use in SSDs. This technology allows SSDs to achieve much faster read and write speeds compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which rely on magnetic disks to store data.

In contrast to magnetic disks, which store data on spinning platters, SSDs consist of interconnected flash memory chips. This architectural difference makes SSDs more robust and reliable, as they are less susceptible to physical shocks and have no moving parts.

Additionally, SSDs do not use optical discs, which read and write data with laser technology, nor do they employ mechanical disks, which involve mechanical movement to read and write data. These factors highlight the advantages of SSDs in performance, durability, and energy efficiency, which have contributed to their increasing adoption in both consumer and enterprise storage solutions.