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Storage Devices External Devices
eSATA is an extension of SATA used for external devices. The port looks identical to a regular SATA port and uses the same cables as a SATA port. Using eSATA can be thought of like using an extension cord. It brings the SATA port to the external portion of the computer's case. If your computer doesn’t have an eSATA port, you can purchase eSATA host adapters that fit in an expansion slot, such as a PCIe x1 or PCIe x4. The speed of eSATA can be 3–6 Gbps, which is very comparable to USB 3.0 speeds of 5 Gbps.
eSATA port. Photo used under CC-BY-NC-ND license from yum 9 me.
Another form of storage is the flash memory card. It is a type of memory that retains its contents without electricity and is very durable. These are commonly used in digital media players, cameras, and USB thumb drives. These cards come in an enormous variety with nearly 50 different types created, but only a few have become common. These common cards include SD, MMC, Memory Stick, and XD. Some computers have built-in readers for these cards with memory slots, but if your computer doesn’t, an external multi-slot card reader can be added by USB for about $10.
Flash memory cards. Photo used under CC-BY-ND license from Sam-Cat.
USB flash drives are commonplace today and have replaced floppy disks as the removable media of choice. They are small in physical size and large in memory capability, with the ability to store 64 GB or more of data on a single “stick.” They are popular and easy to use, since they don’t require a special card reader, because the USB device has one built-in. They are often formatted with the FAT-16, FAT-32, or exFAT file system and are ready to use straight out of the box. Simply plug the device into an available USB port, the operating system recognizes it, and you can begin copying, deleting, and modifying files.
USB flash drive. Photo used with permission from 123 RF.