Resource - Flash Memory

What is flash memory?

As a portable covenient data storage media, Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage technology that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It is primarily used in memory cards and USB flash drives for general storage and transfer of data between computers and other digital products.

Flash memory refers to a particular type of EEPROM, or Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. It is a memory chip that maintains stored information without requiring a power source. It is often used in portable electronics, like MP3/mp4 players, smartphone, blackberry, ipod, and in removable storage devices which often considered to be a USB port.

Flash memory is applied to the following digital devices including:

  • Computer BIOS
  • Digital cellular phones
  • Video game cards
  • Modems
  • MP3 players
  • PCMCIA memory cards
  • Memory sticks

As all the flash memory considered to be a memory card similar device, you may take your files like photos in digital camera, music files mp3, wma files, video files there.

Here are a few examples of flash memory:

  • Your computer's BIOS chip
  • CompactFlash (most often found in digital cameras)
  • SmartMedia (most often found in digital cameras)
  • Memory Stick (most often found in digital cameras)
  • PCMCIA Type I and Type II memory cards (used as solid-state disks in laptops)
  • Memory cards for video game consoles

Flash Memory Manufacturers

Flash memory is made by many vendors like SanDisk http://www.sandisk.com/. Founded in 1988 by Dr. Eli Harari, an internationally recognized authority on non-volatile memory technology, SanDisk has grown to become the world's largest supplier of innovative flash memory data storage products.

SanDisk produces many different types of flash memory, including various memory cards and a series of USB removable drives. SanDisk markets to both the high-end and low-end sector demand for premium quality flash memory, and markets to other equipment makers as well as direct to consumers.

Flash Memory Extend Size?

Most weigh less than 30 g (1 oz). Storage capacities in 2010 can be as large as 256 GB with steady improvements in size and price per capacity expected. Can the 256GB be devided into different partitions? The answer might be no since the way flash memory is different with hard disk drives. Flash memory may called more advantageous.

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