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Random-Access Memory (RAM)
Random-access memory (RAM) is the space that the computer uses to execute programs. The amount
of RAM required is dictated by the number of applications that the computer is asked to run
simultaneously; for most average users, 2 gigabytes (GB) of RAM is an appropriate amount. Most
software and hardware vendors recommend 4 gigabytes. You can never have too much RAM, so more
is better.
Hard Disk
All programs and data are stored on the hard disk (also called the hard drive) of the computer. Disk
technology has advanced greatly in the past decade. Recording density has enabled disk capacity to
approach numbers previously unheard-of except in large mainframe commercial systems. In 1992, the
typical disk stored 80 megabytes (MB) of data. Today, typical disk capacity on desktop machines is in
the range of 200 to 300 gigabytes (GB) up to 10 terabytes (TB). Although it seems unimaginable to
fill up an entire 200-gigabyte disk, it happens faster than one might think. Typical office applications
require 750 megabytes of storage for the application alone, not including any associated data.
Multimedia applications (sound and video) are very data intensive and quickly consume disk space.
For example, CD quality music recordings consume roughly 10 megabytes per minute! Again, the
more storage the better.
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are beginning to appear in the smaller machines. This is the technology
that is used in flash drives that plug into USB ports. These drives start up faster and retrieval is
quicker, since there is no read/write head to position. Current offerings are in the 2 GB range, although
512 GB drives are expected in the near future.
Reminder: Hard disk failures do occur. Always back up your data onto a removable disk, such as an
external hard drive. Also worthy of mention is the use of USB flash drives, sometimes called thumb