harðdiskur

Harðdiskur, often referred to as a hard drive or HDD, is a magnetic storage device used in computers and other electronic devices to store digital data. It consists of one or more rigid rapidly rotating platters coated with magnetic material. Data is read and written by a read/write head that moves across the surface of the platters. The platters spin at high speeds, typically between 5,400 and 15,000 revolutions per minute (RPM).

The capacity of a hard disk is measured in bytes, usually gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). The speed at which data can be accessed is determined by factors such as the rotational speed of the platters, the density of data storage, and the interface used to connect the drive to the computer, such as SATA or NVMe. Hard disks were the primary form of long-term data storage in personal computers for many decades, offering a cost-effective solution for storing large amounts of information.

While solid-state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular due to their faster performance and greater durability, hard disk drives remain a viable option for bulk storage where cost per gigabyte is a primary consideration. They are commonly found in desktop computers, external storage devices, and servers. The technology behind hard disk drives has evolved significantly over the years, leading to increased storage capacities and improved reliability.