/ˌɛs-ɛs-ˈdiː/
n. “The fast storage that has no moving parts.”
SSD, short for Solid-State Drive, is a type of data storage device that uses flash memory to store persistent data. Unlike traditional mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, which allows for faster read/write speeds, lower latency, higher reliability, and reduced power consumption.
Key characteristics of SSD include:
- Flash Memory: Uses NAND-based non-volatile memory to store data.
- High Speed: Provides much faster boot times, file transfers, and application loading compared to HDDs.
- Durability: No moving parts mean less wear and tear, making them more resistant to physical shock.
- Low Latency: Access times are typically in the microsecond range, compared to milliseconds for HDDs.
- Form Factors: Available in 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe/NVMe drives for desktops, laptops, and servers.
A conceptual example of SSD usage:
# Checking disk type on Linux
lsblk -o NAME,ROTA,TYPE,SIZE,MOUNTPOINT
# ROTA=0 indicates a non-rotational SSD device
NAME ROTA TYPE SIZE MOUNTPOINT
sda 0 disk 500G /Conceptually, SSD is like replacing a spinning record player with instant-access digital music — data is available immediately without waiting for mechanical movement.
In essence, SSD is a high-performance, reliable storage solution that has largely replaced HDDs in consumer devices, enterprise servers, and cloud infrastructure where speed and durability are critical.